A western milkweed with pinkish flower clusters and broad gray-green leaves. Critical host plant for monarchs in western US.

Native status: Native to western North America

§ Quick facts

SizeHeight 60–150 cm
LifespanPerennial
OrderGentianales
FamilyApocynaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Asclepias speciosa is a milky-sapped perennial plant in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), known commonly as the showy milkweed and is found in the western half of North America.

Source: Wikipedia — Asclepias speciosa Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Tall plant with broad opposite leaves; large clusters of star-shaped pink-purple flowers.

Similar species. Common Milkweed (related; different range edge). Swamp Milkweed.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. N/A — photosynthesis

Behavior. Western native milkweed. Critical monarch host plant; ranks among the most attractive plants for monarch caterpillars.

§ Range

Western and central North America

§ Habitat

Open meadows, prairies, road shoulders

§ Threats

Habitat loss, garden monocultures, herbicide drift.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the showy milkweed is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Plant in sunny gardens (west). Skip herbicides. Support pollinator pathways.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Xerces Society
  • Monarch Joint Venture