Species Detail Forb

Flower head Highlands Center for Natural History - Sue Smith		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Asclepias engelmanniana - Engelmann's milkweed Synonyms: Acerates auriculata, Asclepias auriculata Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Asclepiadaceae


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Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native Life Cycle: Perennial
General Desc: A tall, slender plant with drooping, narrow, linear leaves. Flowers are in umbels at leaf nodes along the stem.
Identification notes: Perennial herb with milky sap. Erect stems stout, typically unbranched. Leaves narrowly linear, irregularly alternate, smooth or slightly hairy. Small flowers are greenish-yellow, often tinged with purple and borne in hairy lateral umbels.
Height: To 47 inches

Habitat

Habitat Description: Sandy, rocky or limestone soils. Creeks, canyons, open woodlands and open pine forests.
Plant Communities: Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian
Elevation: 4000 - 7200 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Pale green to yellow Shape: Irregular in round clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Jun - Sep
Description: The flower umbels are about 2 inches wide. The individual flowers have 5 pale greenish-white petals with purple tips and are about 3/8 inch wide. Hoods are broad, saclike, closely upright next to the central column.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Narrow Leaf Margin: Smooth Leaf Attachment: Alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: The narrow leaves are to 10 inches long and droop downward from the stem.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Green
Fruit Type: Pod
Fruit Notes: The fruit is a curved conical pod to 6 inches long with lengthwise wrinkles and a pointed tip. The greenish pod turns tan with age and contains many flat, dark brown seeds.
Seed Notes: Seeds have silk-like white hairs at one end that help to carry them away on the wind.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer