q asclepias-fascicularis
TRANSCRIPT
Narrow-leaf Milkweed – Asclepias fascicularis (as-KLEP-ee-us fas-SICK-you-LARE-us)
Family: Asclepiadiceae (Milkweed family)
Native to: West Coast from WA to Baja CA. Grows in colonies on plains, hills, and valleys, in winter –wet
but summer-dry areas.
Growth characteristics: Herbaceous perennial mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: to 3 ft.
Perennial herb from stout woody rootstock. Clump add new stems each year, so increases slowly in
diameter. Leaves light green, narrow-linear. Dies back to ground fall/winter.
Blooms/fruits: May-Sept. Small pink-crème flowers grow in showy “heads” above the foliage.
Uses in the garden: In mixed flower beds, where showy flowers can be appreciated. One of our best
butterfly plants, so often included in butterfly gardens. Does NOT do as well in pots. Plant was used as a medicine plant and fiber source by Native Californians. All parts of plant are toxic if eaten.
Sensible substitute for: non-native Milkweeds
Attracts: Bees, Milkweed Beetles and butterflies (larval food source for Monarch butterfly)
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade
Soil Best in well-drained, but tolerates clay soils; any pH is fine
Water Average needs in spring/summer – don’t over-water; tolerates some winter-spring flooding
Fertilizer None needed
Other May benefit from mulching
Management: Cut back to ground in winter. Limiting water in summer will keep from becoming 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, 2, 3, 10, 13, 14, 20, 24, 25 1/18/15 © Project SOUND