Quick Reference Guide to some milkweeds in Texas: QRG page 2
Above: Asclepias latifolia (broadleaf milkweed). We have seen the name "corn-kernal milkweed"
used for latifolia, closeup of flowers shows why. The white, turning to pale yellow, hoods extend
over the central column with the horns protuding from the hoods almost touching at the top of central
column. The five pale green to yellow green petals reflex downward. The leaves are large, thick,
almost circular, indented at the end. We have found latifolia in a few locations along US83 north of
Eden to Abilene and to along US84 to Lubbock, many plants along US84 from Snyder to Lubbock.
Above: Asclepias linearis (slim milkweed). Long, very narrow leaves in opposite pairs. The five
white hoods are not as tall as the central column but the long horns do extend over the central column.
We have found in several locations in Calhoun County, Texas mid coast. We have found monarch
larvae on them in November and have observed monarch females depositing eggs on them in mid March.
Small plants have the appearance of a long-leafed pine seedling. The linearis plants we have observed
have been growing through the thatch of mowed pastures and in the weedy areas of fence lines.
oenotheroides pg 2b
Calhoun County Runnels County
Above: Asclepias oenotheroides (Hierba De Zizotes). The flowers of oenotheroides have five,
almost white, that then turn pale yellow, hoods reach upward over and twice the length of the central
column. The flowers appear in the upper half of the plant, not at the ends of stems. The hoods of
Zizotes are bi-lobed while those of the similiar Asclepias emoryi are "blunt". The leaves have a wavy
edge and are covered with minute hairs. Left above in Calhoun County (several plants) and in Runnels
County (right with duller, matt green leaves). Plants in Calhoun County have been found in early
March and as late as the end of December after a late wet spell. We have observed in Aransas,
Calhoun, Victoria, DeWitt, and Runnels Counties. Monarch larvae have been reported on spring
oenotheroides in deep South Texas
May be reproduced and used for educational purposes. Data: Monarch Watch Milkweed Guide
Quick Reference Guide: page 1 asperula and viridis page 3 perinnis, texana, verticillata, viridiflora
page 4 tuberosa, curassavica page 5 obovata, viridiflora
