Where could I find info on the Asclepias species?
Milkweed, common name for a plant family, and for plants of the family’s typical genus. Many of the 120 species of the genus are native to North America, and many are distributed widely. These perennial herbs have erect stems, opposite or whorled leaves, and small, unusual flowers borne in clusters at the top or along the stem of the plant. The colored parts of each flower are organized in two five-membered whorls. Milkweeds may be divided into two groups: those with broad leaves and those with narrow leaves. Both are characterized by copious milky sap, called latex, and by inflated fruit pods tightly packed with silky or cottony fuzz. At maturity the pod cover dries, opens, and releases many large, flat, brown seeds. Each is attached to a bit of the fuzz; thus the seed can drift for long distances in gentle currents of air. Many species of milkweed are among the most dangerous of poisonous plants; others, such as the common broad-leaved milkweed, of eastern North America, have little
