Asclepias speciosa flower close up with pollinators

Max Licher

Max Licher

Paul Rothrock

Paul Rothrock

showy milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Plant type:

Forb

Lifecycle:

Perennial

Growing season:

Warm

Soil

Soil Conditions:

Location

Min elevation:

5000

Max elevation:

8500

Counties:

Carson City,

Churchill,

Clark,

Douglas,

Elko,

Eureka,

Humboldt,

Lander,

Lincoln,

Lyon,

Mineral,

Nye,

Pershing,

Storey,

Washoe,

White Pine

Reproduction & Growth

Growth rate:

Moderate,

Low

Germination requirements:

Reproduction:

High

Lifespan:

Moderate

Ecological

Best suited for these site conditions:

Best suited for these management goals:

Additional Information

Warning:

toxic for some animals

Commercial availability:

Available

Notes:

Monarch host, Cold stratification, Poor establishment when part of a seed mix best from rhizomes

Citations:

Borders & Mäder 2014, Nabhan et al 2015, Kaye 2018