Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Gentianales > Apocynaceae > Asclepias > Asclepias ovalifoliaAsclepias ovalifolia (oval-leaf milkweed; milkweed)Synonyms: Asclepias nuttalliana (heterotypic); Asclepias ovalifolia f. ovalifolia; Asclepias ovalifolia f. verticillifolia | Allergen Potential [1] | Medium-Low |  | | Edible [2] | May be edible. See the Plants For A Future link below for details. | | Flower Type [2] | Hermaphrodite | | Hazards [2] | 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; They are usually avoided by grazing animals;
The following report relates to the closely related A. syriaca and is probably also appropriate for this species;
The older leaves are poisonous if eaten in large quantities; | | Lifespan [2] | Perennial | | Pollinators [2] | Bees, Insects, Lepidoptera, Lepidoptera | | Structure [3] | Herb | | Usage [2] | The following reports refer to the closely related A. syriaca, and are probably also appropriate for this species;
A good quality fibre is obtained from the bark and is used in making twine, cloth, paper etc; It is of poor quality in wet seasons; It is easily harvested in late autumn after the plant has died down by simply pulling the fibres off the dried stems;
The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibres to make cloth; It is a Kapok substitute, used in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material; Very water repellent, it can yield up to 550 kilos per hectare; The floss has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. Candlewicks can be made from the seed floss;
Rubber can be made from latex contained in the leaves and the stems; It is found mainly in the leaves and is destroyed by frost; Yields are higher on dry soils;
Pods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance.
The seed contains up to 20% of an edible semi-drying oil; It is also used in making liquid soap; | | | Height [2] | 24 inches (0.6 m) | | Width [2] | 39 inches (1 m) |
View Plants For A Future Record : Asclepias ovalifolia |
Species taxanomy provided by GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-06-13; License: CC BY 4.0
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