Antelopehorn Milkweed
Asclepias asperula
The plant gets its name from its curved, horn-shaped seed pods which resemble the horns of a pronghorn antelope.
- Scientific name
- Asclepias asperula
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Gentianales › Apocynaceae › Asclepias
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Dry rocky prairies, desert scrub, and open hillsides.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (Autotroph)
- Range
- Southwestern United States, Northern Mexico, Edwards Plateau, Mojave Desert
- Size
- 30-60 cm tall with decumbent stems.
- Lifespan
- 5-20 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, widespread herbicide use, and intensive cattle overgrazing.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to observe, but contains toxic cardiac glycosides. Do not ingest any part of the plant. The milky sap can cause skin and eye irritation; if contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water. If ingested, seek medical attention immediately.
Asclepias asperula is a species of milkweed native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its common names include antelope horns , green-flowered milkweed , and spider antelope horns .
Photo: Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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