ASCLEPIADACEAE

Asclepias asperula

Common Names: Antelope Horns, Trailing Milkweed

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Asclepias asperula habit2.jpg (131106 bytes) Asclepias asperula heads.jpg (122429 bytes)
habit inflorescences (umbels)

Asclepias asperula leaves.jpg (99396 bytes)
dehiscing fruits - each seed has long silky hairs to aid in dispersal leaves
asclepias.asperula.frt.jpg (66145 bytes) Asclepias asperula oldfruits1.jpg (74971 bytes)
fruit (follicle)--the seeds are visible as brown structures in the center of the open pod.  They are attached to long hairs to aid in dispersal. fruits that have already split open and shed their seeds--if you use your imagination, you may be able to see the "antelope horns" made by the pair of fruits

Asclepias asperula undehiscedfruitsMMS.jpg (46442 bytes)

Asclepias asperula undehiscedfruits2MMS.jpg (34571 bytes)
seeds before they are shed--the seeds are arranged spirally around a central axis same group of seeds as at left, shown from the other side--the coma of hairs is the white mass at the top.  Each seed is attached to its own set of hairs
Asclepias asperula bigbee.jpg (57944 bytes)
inflorescence closeup--the 5 white "balls" that are in each flower are called hoods.  Look at the size of this bee!  This species of milkweed attracts huge bees as pollinators. habit in late summer with dehiscing fruits