About Asclepias fascicularis Decne.
Asclepias fascicularis Decne. is a perennial herb that produces many thin, erect stems. Its distinctive leaves are long, pointed, very narrow, and often arranged in whorls around the stem, a feature that gives the plant its common names. It produces flower clusters in shades of lavender, pale pink, purple, white, or greenish tones. Each flower has five reflexed lobes that extend downward away from the blossom. Flowers measure 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in), while their flower stalks (pedicels) measure 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in). The smooth, milkweed-type fruit pods split open to release seeds attached to abundant silky hairs. This plant blooms from late spring to late summer. Asclepias fascicularis is a common perennial native to the Western United States and Baja California. It grows in a wide range of habitats, including deserts, chaparral, woodlands, and montane areas below 2,100 m (7,000 feet). This species is cultivated by specialty nurseries as an ornamental plant. It is used in butterfly gardens, wildlife gardens, native plant gardens, drought-tolerant gardens, and natural landscaping projects.
