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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Asclepias californica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
Suitable for: light (sandy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Gum
The milky sap of the plant can be boiled until thick and then chewed like chewing gum[257]. The leaves can be roasted and then chewed[257].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Stings
The dried and powdered plant can be applied to spider bites[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Gum Latex
Rubber can be made from latex contained in the stems and leaves[112].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a well-drained light rich or peaty soil[1, 200]. Succeeds in poor soils. Many members of this genus seem to be particularly prone to damage by slugs. The young growth in spring is especially vulnerable, but older growth is also attacked and even well-established plants have been destroyed in wet years[K]. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted into their final positions whilst small[134]. The flower of many members of this genus can trap insects between its anther cells, the struggles of the insect in escaping ensure the pollination of the plant[207].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn or in late winter[134, 169]. We have also had good results from sowing the seed in the greenhouse in early spring[K], though stored seed might need 2 - 3 weeks cold stratification[134]. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 18°c[134]. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out when they are in active growth in late spring or early summer and give them some protection from slugs until they are growing away strongly. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. Pot the divisions up and place them in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly, then plant them out in the summer, giving them some protection from slugs until they are established.. Basal cuttings in late spring. Use shoots about 10cm long with as much of their white underground stem as possible. Pot them up individually and place them in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse until they are rooting and growing actively. If the plants grow sufficiently, they can be put into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in the greenhouse until the following spring and when they are in active growth plant them out into their permanent positions. Give them some protection from slugs until they are established.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (California), Mexico (Baja California (Norte))
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Asclepias asperula | Antelope Horns, Spider milkweed, Trailing Milkweed | Perennial | 1.0 |
7-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Asclepias brachystephana | Bract milkweed | Perennial | 0.3 |
0-0
| | L | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Asclepias currasavica | Blood Flower | Perennial | 2.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Asclepias decumbens | | Perennial | 0.9 |
-
| | L | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Asclepias eriocarpa | Woollypod Milkweed | Perennial | 0.9 |
7-10
| | L | SN | DM | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Asclepias erosa | Desert Milkweed | Perennial | 0.8 |
0-0
| | L | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Asclepias galioides | Bedstraw Milkweed | Perennial | 0.4 |
-
| | L | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Asclepias hallii | Purple Silkweed, Hall's milkweed | Perennial | 1.0 |
3-7
| | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Asclepias incarnata | Swamp Milkweed, Swamp Butterfly Weed, Marsh Milkweed | Perennial | 1.2 |
3-8
| M | LM | SN | DMWe | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Asclepias involucrata | Dwarf Milkweed | Perennial | 0.0 |
-
| | L | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Asclepias lanceolata | Purple Silkweed, Fewflower milkweed | Perennial | 1.2 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Asclepias latifolia | Broadleaf Milkweed | Perennial | 0.8 |
-
| | L | SN | DM | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Asclepias mexicana | | Perennial | 0.8 |
5-9
| | L | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Asclepias ovalifolia | Oval-leaf milkweed | Perennial | 0.6 |
5-9
| | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Asclepias pumila | Low Milkweed, Plains milkweed | Perennial | 0.4 |
5-9
| | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Asclepias purpurascens | Purple Milkweed | Perennial | 0.8 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Asclepias quadrifolia | Fourleaf Milkweed | Perennial | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Asclepias rubra | Red Silkweed | Perennial | 1.2 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Asclepias speciosa | Showy Milkweed | Perennial | 0.8 |
3-9
| | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Asclepias subulata | Rush Milkweed | Perennial | 2.0 |
5-9
| | L | SN | DM | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Asclepias sullivantii | Prairie milkweed | Perennial | 1.2 |
0-0
| | L | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Asclepias syriaca | Common Milkweed, Silkweed, Milkweed | Perennial | 1.0 |
3-8
| M | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Asclepias tuberosa | Pleurisy Root, Butterfly milkweed, Rolfs' milkweed, Indian Paintbrush | Perennial | 0.8 |
3-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Asclepias viridiflora | Green Milkweed, Green comet milkweed | Perennial | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Greene.
Botanical References
71
Links / References
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