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Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Perennial Forbs Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)

General: Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa) is a tall, perennial forb with large, clasping leaves, globular flower clusters, and large seed pods.

Desert Milkweed is an uncommon component of desert and upland vegetation communities during the spring. It can be found on flats, in and along washes, and on bajadas into the lower mountains in the Lower Sonoran (Creosote-Bursage Flats) and Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) life zones. The species also occurs in disturbed areas, such as along roads.

Family: Milkweed (Asclepiadaceae)

Other Names:

Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)

Plant Form: Upright, perennial forb

Height: To about 3 feet.

Stems:

Leaves: Long, gray, folded along the midline

Flowers:

Seeds:

Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)

Habitat: Dry soils on flats, in and along washes, and on bajadas into the lower mountains.

Elevation: To about 6,000 feet

Distribution: California to Arizona, and south into Mexico.

Comments:

Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed in Gold Butte National Monument
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed in Gold Butte National Monument (close up view)
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed on roadside at Red Rock Canyon NCA
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed on roadside at Red Rock Canyon NCA
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed in desert wash in Gold Butte National Monument
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed growing in wash in Gold Butte National Monument
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed in Gold Butte National Monument
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed on road edge in Grand Canyon-Parashant NM
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed in Basin and Range NM
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed in Basin and Range NM
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Young Desert Milkweed in Mojave National Preserve
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Young Desert Milkweed in Mojave National Preserve
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Young Desert Milkweed with developing flowerheads
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Young Desert Milkweed with developing flowerheads
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed developing flowerheads
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed developing flowerheads
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed developing flowerheads
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed with mix of developing flowerheads and fruits
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed flowerhead with buds
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed flowerhead with open flowers
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed flowerhead with open flowers and wasp pollinator
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed flowerhead with spent and open flowers
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Single Desert Milkweed flower (side view)
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Single Desert Milkweed flower (side view)
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Single Desert Milkweed flower (oblique top view)
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Single Desert Milkweed flower (top view)
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed flower showing one pollinia
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Flower with one hood removed showing pollinia in stamen chamber
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Two Desert Milkweed seedpods
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Cluster of three Desert Milkweed seedpods
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed seedpod
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed seedpod
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Developing Desert Milkweed seedpods
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Developing Desert Milkweed seedpods
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Developing Desert Milkweed seedpod releasing seeds
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Seeds and interior of ripe seedpod husk
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed seed with feathery plume
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed seed with feathery plume
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed seedpod: empty husk with core
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed seedpod: empty husk
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Flower buds and flowers with butterfly pollinator
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Flower buds and open flower with butterfly pollinator
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Flower buds and open flowers with Tarantula Hawk pollinators
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Flower buds and open flowers with wasp pollinator
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Developing seedpods with aphids
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
Tarantula Hawk wasp pollinators

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 220816

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