1. Indian Milkweed – Asclepias eriocarpa
(as-KLEP-ee-us air-ee-oh-CAR-puh)
Family: Asclepiadiceae (Milkweed family)
Native to: West Coast from WA to Baja CA; locally in Santa Monica & San Gabriel mountains &
foothills.
Grows in colonies on plains, hills, and valleys, in summer-dry areas and along stream
sides, primarily in chaparral, oak woodland.
Herbaceous perennial
mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: to 3 ft.
Perennial herb from stout woody rootstock. Leaves light green to gray-green, large, hairy and
succulent-looking. Dies back to ground fall/winter.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms/fruits: May-Sept. Small pink-crème flowers grow in showy “heads” above the foliage.
In mixed flower beds, where showy flowers can be appreciated. One of our
best butterfly plants, so often included in butterfly gardens. Most attractive if allowed to form a
good-sized patch.
Does NOT do as well in pots. Plant was used as a medicine plant and fiber
source by Native Californians.
Note: All parts of plant are toxic if eaten.
Uses in the garden:
Sensible substitute for: non-native Milkweeds
Attracts: Bees, Milkweed Beetles and butterflies (larval food source for Monarch butterfly).
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade
Best in well-drained, but tolerates clay soils; any pH is fine
Average needs in spring/summer – don’t over-water; tolerates some winter-spring
flooding
None needed
May benefit from mulching
Cut back to ground in winter.
Limiting water in summer will keep from becoming
Easy to grow once established. Plant out plants when small – resents root disturbance.
Management:
invasive.
Propagation: from seed: collect pods when ripe (tan) but before they open.
Plant fresh seeds in
fall in prepared beds.
by divisions: divide in fall, at time of first rains. Be sure each piece of
rhizome has at least 1 bud. Irrigate until plants are established.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 13
6/27/11
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