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Asclepias linearis Scheele

Squat milkweed, slim milkweed

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderGentianalesGentians, coffee, gardenias, frangipani, many others
FamilyAsclepiadaceaeIncludes some herbs, twining shrubs, lianas, leafless stem succulents, rarely trees
GenusAsclepiasFor Asklepios, the Greek god of healing
SpecieslinearisLinear or lined

About plant names...

Squat milkweed is native to southeastern Texas and parts of Mexico, occuring rarely in California and New Mexico. The photos shown here, taken in New Mexico, may have been planted at the visitor center. They prefer dry prairies, rocky slopes, and mesas, in an altitude range of 1500-6500′ (457-1981 m).

Plants: A slender upright plant, up to 1½′ (50 cm) in height, woody near the base. Broken leaves produce a milky sap.

Leaves: Smooth, linear, and opposite; 1-4″ (2.5-10 cm) × ¼″ (6.3 mm).

Flowers: Produces umbels of small white or greenish-white flowers. Each flower is <¼″ (6.3 mm) around, and includes pink or purplish appendages. They appear from February to October.

Fruits: Upright pods are narrow and smooth, 2-4″ (5-10 cm) long, with one to several pods per plant.

Online References:

Southwestdesertflora.com

SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

Www.asclepias.org

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Www.inaturalist.org

 

Asclepias linearis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Asclepias linearis (squat milkweed, slim milkweed)

8/26/2014 · Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, Grants, New Mex­ico · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 28 cm)

Asclepias linearis (squat milkweed, slim milkweed)

8/26/2014 · Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, Grants, New Mex­ico · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Range:

About this map...