Asclepias speciosa
(Showy Milkweed)
Asclepias speciosa, Northeast of La Junta, Bent Co. 9851
Asclepias speciosa, North of Paonia, Delta Co. 2829
Asclepias speciosa, North of Paonia, Delta Co. 2819
Asclepias speciosa, Newcastle-Buford Rd., Garfield Co. 6245
Asclepias speciosa, Newcastle-Buford Rd., Garfield Co. 6229
Stem Leaves, Asclepias speciosa, North of Paonia, Delta Co. 2861
Asclepias speciosa, Newcastle-Buford Rd., Garfield Co. 6247
| Scientific Name | Asclepias speciosa | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ASSP |
| Common Name | Showy Milkweed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 30304 |
| Family | Apocynaceae (Dogbane) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3400 to 8400 ft); moist soils of prairies, roadsides, waste areas, lake margins. Plant: Erect perennial, 16 to 48 inches tall; slightly to densely hairy stems with milky sap. Leaves: Stem leaves opposite, petiolate, oblong-lanceolate to ovate-oblong, 4 to 8 inches long and up to 4 inches across; with transverse veins. Inflorescence: Several umbels on peduncles 1 to 3 inches long; 5 greenish sepals often hidden beneath pink to purplish-red petals that are about 1/2-inch long; 5 pale pink to white hoods spreading in a star pattern, each 1/3 to 1/2-inch long; white, sickle-shaped horns, shorter than hoods, arching over anther head. See Orbis Environmental Consulting's website for a discussion of milkweed flower morphology. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Burke Museum-Washington University and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains