Plant · GBIF taxon 3170304
Broadleaf Milkweed
Asclepias latifoliaAlso known as Broad-leaved Milkweed, Broadleaf Silkweed
Broadleaf milkweed thrives in dry plains and pastures across central North America, easily distinguished by its unusually broad, thick, oval leaves. Clusters of pale greenish-yellow flowers bloom in midsummer, offering nectar to bees, butterflies, and wasps. Like other milkweeds, it exudes a sticky white latex containing toxic cardenolides that defend it against most herbivores while nourishing specialized monarch caterpillars.
WildflowerHost PlantDrought-Tolerant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars
- Large Milkweed Bugs
- Milkweed Aphids
ThreatsHerbicide spraying, agricultural habitat loss, severe land degradation
HabitatsDry prairies, plains, roadsides, disturbed rangelands
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderGentianales
- FamilyApocynaceae
- GenusAsclepias
- SpeciesAsclepias latifolia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains cardiac glycosides toxic to livestock and pets; do not ingest.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains toxic cardiac glycosides that can cause cardiac arrest or severe illness if ingested by livestock, pets, or humans.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by stout stems and unusually wide, round to broadly oval opposite leaves with pale flowers.
- What to do
- Do not consume any part of the plant, and wash hands thoroughly if milky latex contacts skin.
Responsible observation
- Look for Caterpillars: Check the undersides of broad leaves for monarch larvae during midsummer.
- Observe Pollinators: Watch the dense pale green flower clusters for native bees and butterflies.
- Avoid Milky Sap: Refrain from tearing leaves or stems, as sap can irritate skin and eyes.
Host Plant Sid Mosdell from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Specialist Herbivore (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative (c) davecz2, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by davecz2 · cc-by-sa
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