Scientific Family
Asclepiadaceae
Synonyms
Asclepias obtusifolia var. latifolia
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 2-1/2 feet
Riparian
No
Stout stems, erect, unbranched; leaves appear large compared to the rest of the plant. Plant has milky sap.
Somewhat cabbage-like with its thick, rounded, dark green leaves, the leaves appearing loosely whorled around the stem and often extending upwards to surround the creamy white or yellowish rounded flower clusters (inflorescence).
Habitat
Found on plains, prairies, mesas, canyons, rocky slopes, desert grasslands, and along roadsides.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
5-lobed crown between the flower petals and the stamens; lobes hoodlike, cream-colored and tinted purplish; 5 downward-pointing petals; looks somewhat like corn kernels; about 3/8 inch wide and 1/2 inch long with a broad tapered pod.
Flower color
Creamy white or yellowish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Opposite, short stemmed; blades thick, circular to ovate, to 6 inches long, 4-3/4 inches wide; small abrupt tip or notched at the tips; heart-shaped at the base; dark green above, lighter in color beneath, appear large compared to the rest of the plant.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Dry, many seeded, opening on one side; 2 to 2-3/4 inches long, ovoid, smooth.
Fruit type
Other
Compressed with long tufts of hairs at the tips.