Spider milkweed

Asclepias asperula

Physical Characteristics

Asclepias asperula is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

South-western N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Oil Oil Seed Seedpod Edible Uses: Gum Oil Oil Sweetener Edible parts (after boiling): Leaves, flowers, stalks. Flavor: Mild, with flowers being sweeter due to nectar. Preparation: Boiling once is sufficient; produces a mild broth. Flowers can be boiled down into a light syrup. Safety: Must be cooked, but considered one of the safer edible milkweeds [2-3]. The following reports refer to other members of this genus and are possibly also appropriate for this species[K]. Unopened flower buds - cooked. They taste somewhat like peas. They are used like broccoli[183]. Flowers and young flower buds - cooked. Used as a flavouring and a thickener in soups etc[55, 102]. The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup[2, 85]. The flowers are harvested in the early morning with the dew still on them[95]. When boiled up it makes a brown sugar[95]. Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[2, 4, 43, 55, 62, 95, 183]. They should be used when less than 20cm tall[159]. A slightly bitter taste[159]. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach[85, 183]. Young seed pods, 3 - 4 cm long, cooked[2, 43, 55, 85]. They are very appetizing. Best used when about 2 - 4cm long and before the seed floss forms, on older pods remove any seed floss before cooking them[85, 159]. If picked at the right time, the pods resemble okra[183]. The sprouted seeds can be eaten[183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[55, 171]. The latex in the stems is made into a chewing gum[46, 61]. It is found mainly in the leaves and is destroyed by frost[112]. Yields are higher on dry soils[112].

Medicinal Uses

Expectorant The plant is used as a snuff in the treatment of catarrh[257].

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports have been seen for this species, many, if not all, members of this genus contain toxic resinoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides[274]. They are usually avoided by grazing animals[274]. This species is said to be poisonous to livestock[228].