Asclepias eriocarpa ~ Woollypod Milkweed, Indian Milkweed, Kotolo Milkweed
Asclepias eriocarpa grows through much of California below the elevation of 7000 feet. Asclepias eriocarpa grows 3-4 feet tall and wide on a variety of soil types but requires dry summer conditions. Asclepias eriocarpa is true to its name with large woolly 5" leaves. Asclepias eriocarpa blooms with sprays of creamy white flowers late Spring into Fall if the year was moist enough, Summer if not. The milkweeds are a frequent food and nectar source for native bees including the Tarantula Hawk and butterflies including the Acmon Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Hedgerow Hairstreak, Common Buckeye, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Great Purple Hairstreak, Giant Swallowtail, and Monarch Butterfly. Asclepias eriocarpa is a great addition to the butterfly garden and the wildflower garden
Flowers and foliage of Asclepias eriocarpa. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.
Seeds of Asclepias eriocarpa. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.
Tarantula Hawk feeding on nectar from Asclepias eriocarpa, Woollypod 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. 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