Plant · GBIF taxon 3170260
showy milkweed
Asclepias speciosaAlso known as Greek Milkweed
Showy milkweed forms dense clonal patches across western North American meadows, prairies, and roadsides, spreading via tough underground rhizomes. Its striking rose-pink to purple flower clusters feature elongated star-like petals that draw in dozens of native bee, butterfly, and beetle species throughout midsummer. Female monarch butterflies seek out its broad velvet-textured leaves to lay eggs, providing essential forage for their developing caterpillars.
FloweringPollinator HostPerennial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar
- Red Milkweed Beetle
- Large Milkweed Bug
ThreatsAgricultural development, herbicide use, habitat loss
HabitatsPrairies, meadows, roadsides, riverbanks, dry fields
Life spanPerennial (10+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyApocynaceae
- SpeciesAsclepias speciosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains toxic cardenolides and irritating milky latex sap; avoid skin contact and do not ingest.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains cardenolides that interfere with heart function if consumed and milky latex that causes severe skin or eye irritation.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Identified by velvety gray-green foliage, stout unbranched stems, and star-shaped pink flower clusters.
- What to do
- Enjoy observing the flowers and monarch caterpillars up close without tearing leaves or exposing latex sap.
Responsible observation
- Gardening for Wildlife: Plant in full sun with dry to moist soil to establish long-lived monarch habitat.
- Sap Safety: Avoid touching eyes or face after handling leaves, and wash hands if milky latex rubs off.
Symbiont Sid Mosdell from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Randy Nonenmacher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · cc-by
Close Relative (c) LJ Moore-McClelland, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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