Plains Milkweed, Dwarf Milkweed

[Asclepias pumila (Gray) Vail]

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

▲▼ mature flowering plants (about 8-10 inches tall)

▲▼ illustration of portion o creeping root on mature plants

▲ whorled or dense alternately-arranged linear leaves

▲ flower detail

 

·         Plains Milkweed: (mentioned on p. 55 in Weeds of the Great Plains, nor Weeds of the Northeast)

o   A creeping perennial with creeping roots; usually grows less than 1 foot tall, but can form large colonies

o   Has linear alternately-arranged to whorled leaves, similar to whorled milkweed

o   Flowers are pinkish in ball-like clusters in axils of leaves near top of plant

o   Is poisonous to livestock