Asclepias speciosa
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Asclepias speciosa
| Asclepias speciosa | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asclepiadoideae |
| Genus: | Asclepias |
| Species: | A. speciosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Asclepias speciosa Torr. |
|
Asclepias speciosa is a species of milkweed known commonly as the showy milkweed. It is native to the western half of North America.
Description
This flowering plant is a hairy, erect perennial. The large, pointed, bananalike leaves are arranged opposite on the stalklike stem. The eye-catching furry pale pink to pinkish-purple flowers are arranged in thick umbels. Their corollas are reflexed and the central flower parts, five hoods with prominent hooks, are star-shaped. The fruit is a large, rough follicle filled with many flat oval seeds with luxuriant silky plumes.
Many Native American peoples use all parts of this plant for a great number of medicinal uses and ate some parts as a food.
Butterflies
Asclepias speciosa is a specific Monarch butterfly food and habitat plant.
External links
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