prairie wildflower
Broadleaf milkweed
Asclepias latifolia
1 of 2Native to the Great Plains and the Southwest
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Sep Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its yellow and green flowers peak in July. At up to 3 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Broadleaf milkweed's yellow and green flowers bloom June to September, peaking in July. This midsummer display draws bees and butterflies.
Broadleaf milkweed blooms yellow & greenFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Tripartite Sweat Bee also Melissodes intortus, Protandrena cockerelli
- Butterflies Gray Hairstreak also Reakirt's Blue
- Beetles Calligrapha conjuncta
- Also visited by
- Moths: Garden Webworm Moth
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Monarch butterflycaterpillar host
- Queencaterpillar host
- Gray hairstreaknectar
- Reakirt's bluenectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Great Plains and the SouthwestUnited States (10): AZ, CA, CO, KS, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, UT. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil texture
- Light (sandy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- Low (tolerates poor soil)How rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–SepWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Yellow, GreenThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Follicle (seed pod); ripens Jul–OctThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.