Asclepias procera, commonly known as the Showy Milkweed, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asclepias genus of the Apocynaceae family. It is native to western North America, specifically found in regions encompassing California, Nevada, and Oregon.
Showy Milkweed typically grows up to a height of 3-6 feet, with straight and unbranched stems emerging from a robust taproot. The leaves are large, leafy, and arranged oppositely along the stem. They are ovate or oblong in shape with pointed tips, exhibiting a dull green color on their upper surface and pale green or silver undersides.
This species produces magnificent, dense clusters of showy, fragrant, and nectar-rich flowers, attracting various pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flower clusters consist of numerous distinct five-lobed flowers, with each flower having a pinkish or purplish color, though occasionally they may appear white or lavender. Following pollination, these flowers give rise to elongated, slender, and erect pods, filled with many seeds, each bearing a silky white coma, facilitating seed dispersal by the wind.
Asclepias procera plays a crucial role as a host plant for the larvae of monarch butterflies, providing them with food and shelter. Additionally, it serves as an essential nectar source for numerous beneficial insects, making it an ecologically significant species.
Due to its attractive appearance, Asclepias procera is often cultivated in gardens, native plant landscapes, and restoration projects to enhance biodiversity and support endangered pollinators. Furthermore, certain indigenous communities utilized the stems and fibers of this plant for various traditional purposes, including basket weaving and cordage.
