Plant Of The Week: Desert Milkweed

Our Plant of the Week is a special one for our area. Here in the Valley of the Sun we have many that are called Desert Milkweed.  Also called Asclepias subulata is a species of milkweed known commonly as the rush milkweed, desert milkweed or ajamete. This is an erect perennial herb which loses its leaves early in the season and stands as a cluster of naked stalks. Atop the stems are inflorescences of distinctive flowers. Each cream-white flower has a reflexed corolla that reveals the inner parts, a network of five shiny columns, each topped with a tiny hook. The fruit is a pouchlike follicle that contains many flat, oval seeds with long, silky hairlike plumes. This milkweed is native to the desert southwest of the United States and northern Mexico.

Milkweed is crucial to the life-cycle of the monarch butterfly. Female monarchs search for milkweed to lay their eggs. Monarch larvae (caterpillars) will only feed on milkweeds in the Asclepias family. There are 108 species of milkweed in North America. Monarchs are only known to use 30 of them, but they may use any or all of them. Below is a list of milkweeds that Monarchs favor in Arizona. We hope to expand the list to the entire southwest. They are labeled whether they are more likely to grow in the low or high desert areas of the state.

Most species of milkweed contain cardiac glycosides. When the caterpillars consume the leaves, they become toxic to many predators. This protection continues when they become butterflies. Predators learn to avoid monarch larvae and butterflies because they taste bad or make them vomit. There is a wide variation in toxin strength in different kinds of milkweed.

Desert milkweed can be used as an upright sculptural accent in the landscape. Softer-foliaged perennials and annual wildflowers compliment milkweed's form. Producing practically no debris, desert milkweed is perfect for poolscapes. It is tough enough to thrive in dry, hot, sunny locations, so use it in those difficult spots of full sun and reflected sun and heat. Preferring well draining soil, it is quick to establish and very drought tolerant. For a natural look, use desert milkweed when planting wash areas.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

Presented By:

Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC

623-848-8277

http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com

greenskeeperllc@cox.net