Fewflower milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata, Fl. Carol.: 105 (1788))

Family: Apocynaceae

Author: Walter

Bibliography: Fl. Carol.: 105 (1788)

Year: 1788

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Asclepias

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: New Jersey to Texas

Description

Fewflower milkweed, scientifically known as Asclepias lanceolata, is a distinctive species within the Apocynaceae family. First described in 1788 by the esteemed botanist Thomas Walter in his work “Flora Caroliniana,” this plant has secured its place within the rich tapestry of North American flora.

Geographically speaking, Fewflower milkweed spans a considerable range, flourishing from New Jersey in the northeastern United States all the way to Texas in the southwest. This expansive distribution across varied climatic zones demonstrates the plant’s adaptability and resilience.

Characterized by its slender, lance-shaped leaves, the Fewflower milkweed stands out with its delicate clusters of flowers. True to its name, this perennial herb features fewer flowers per cluster compared to other milkweed species, but what it may lack in quantity, it compensates for in understated elegance. The flowers, typically orange-red to reddish-pink, attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and especially monarch butterflies, which rely on milkweeds as a crucial food source during their larval stage.

This plant plays a vital ecological role beyond pollination. As a native species, it contributes to the stability and functionality of local ecosystems, providing habitat and sustenance for a diverse array of insects and other wildlife. Fewflower milkweed is not only a visual delight but also a linchpin in its environmental niche.

Overall, Fewflower milkweed—Asclepias lanceolata—stands as a testament to nature’s ingenuity, marking the landscapes from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf of Mexico with its graceful presence and ecological importance.

Common Names

Eng: fewflower milkweed
En: Fewflower milkweed

Synonyms

• Asclepias lanceolata var. paupercula ((Michx.) Fernald)
• Otanema lanceolata ((Walter) Raf.)
• Asclepias serpentaria (Raf.)
• Asclepias lanceolata f. flaviflora (Fernald)
• Asclepias paupercula (Michx.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Virginia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 6, 2012 by EOL − Mary Keim (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − WVU Herbarium (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2015 by EOL − Mary Keim (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2011 by EOL − Bob Peterson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2019 by Tom Jones (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3170251)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30049929-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Asclepias lanceolata Walter)

Specifications

Growth