California Gardens - The Year Round Gardening Site

Asclepias fascicularis ~ Narrow Leafed Milkweed, Mexican Whorled Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis is found in most of the Western States. Narrow Leafed Milkweed grows at lower elevations throughout California from the coast to the desert. Asclepias fascicularis produces its white flowers with a flush of pink from late spring to early Fall. Asclepias fascicularis is a great nectar source for native bees. Asclepias fascicularis is on many butterfly groups top milkweed to plant for the Monarchs. The milkweeds are a frequent food and nectar source for the Acmon Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Hedgerow Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, and Monarch Butterfly, California Common Ringlet, Giant Swallowtail, Common Buckeye, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, and a great addition to the butterfly garden.

Tarantula Hawk, Narrow Leafed Milkweed

Tarantula Hawk feeding on the nectar of Asclepias fascicularis the Narrowleaf Milkweed. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

Asclepias fascicularis, Narrow Leafed Milkweed

Flowers of Asclepias fascicularis the Narrowleaf Milkweed. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

Asclepias fascicularis seeds, Narrow Leafed Milkweed

Seeds emerging from their pod with their feathery plumes Asclepias fascicularis the Narrowleaf Milkweed. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

Video of a Monarch Caterpillar and Adult laying eggs on Asclepias fascicularis the Narrowleaf Milkweed. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

Tarantula Hawks, Carpenter Bees and Yellow Faced Bumblebees feeding on nectar from Asclepias eriocarpa, Woollypod Milkweed. Milkweeds are important to so much more wildlife beyond butterflies. High resolution videos are part of our garden image collection.

Plants from the old Asclepidacea Family featured on this site. This is now considered a subfamily in the Apocynaceae Family or Dogbane Family. This is relevant because these plants are nectar and caterpillar food for the Monarch Butterflies:
Asclepias angustifolia * Arizona Milkweed
Asclepias californica * California Milkweed
Asclepias cordifolia * Purple Milkweed
Asclepias curassavica * Tropical Milkweed
Asclepias curassavica Red Butterflies * Red Butterflies Tropical Milkweed
Asclepias curassavica Silky Gold * Silky Gold Tropical Milkweed
Asclepias eriocarpa * Woollypod Milkweed, Indian Milkweed, Kotolo Milkweed
Aslepias erosa * Desert Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis * Narrow Leaf Milkweed
Asclepias linaria * Pine Needle Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa * Showy Milkweed
Asclepias subulata * Rush Milkweed, Skeleton Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa * Butterfly Weed
Other milkweed relatives:
Araujia sericifera * Bladder Vine, Cruel Vine, Moth Vine
Gomphocarpus fruticosus * Swan Milkweed, Narrow Leaf Cotton Plant
Gomphocarpus physocarpus * Family Jewels, Hairy Balls
Hoya carnosa * Wax Vine