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
I love following the drainages out of the mountains and across the deserts, observing all the plants and animals that follow them as well....
There are three native species of mesquite found in Arizona; the western honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana), the screwbean mesquite (P. pubescens) and...
It’s spring in the borderlands and something florally is going on and it’s going on everywhere. What a hoot! And…