The genus Asclepias is in the Milkweed family Aclepiadaceae and there are about 30 species of Asclepias found in Arizona from low deserts to high mountains. The various species of milkweed found in Arizona and across North America are larval food for Monarch Butterflies and so we hear a lot about milkweeds and monarchs, but don’t forget all the other species of butterflies and local native insects like bees, wasps, beetles and moths that visit milkweed. So plant milkweeds for everyone in your very cool native plant garden. Milkweed, not just for Monarchs!
The photos are of Asclepias asperula
The plant Dichelostemma capitatum (synonym Dipterostemon capitatus) has at least two subspecies and is found all over the west. For me this lily-like plant...
The scientific name of the black swallowtail is Papilio polyxenes. Papilio is from the Latin for butterfly and the specific epithet polyxenes is from...
Psacalium decompositum or Indian Plantain is common in the shady mountain forests of southeastern Arizona. You can impress your friends while on a hike...
