Asclepias nyctaginifolia
Mojave milkweed, Mojave milkweed, Mojave milkweed
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Family: Apocynaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Asclepias nyctaginifolia (Mojave milkweed) is a native California herb in the Apocynaceae family, recognized by distinctive petioled elliptic leaves and sessile inflorescences.
Mojave milkweed is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in the Mojave Desert in arroyos and dry slopes at elevations of 1,000 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces green-white flowers with purple undersides, partially reflexed with distinctive white-green hoods that extend beyond the flower base. Growing with decumbent to ascending hairy stems, it forms a low-spreading habit characteristic of desert environments. Its opposite leaves are elliptic to lanceolate, creating a soft textural backdrop to the complex flower structure. The plant produces erect fruits with seeds approximately 7 to 8 millimeters long, adapted to the harsh desert conditions.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; distinctive petioled elliptic leaves and sessile inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Arroyos, dry slopes
Elevation: 1000-1700 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to Nevada, New Mexico
Bloom period
Asclepias nyctaginifolia blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Gomphocarpus: Asclepias has hoods that touch or nearly touch at their edges; Gomphocarpus has gaps between hood edges.; vs Erigeron: Asclepias has rounded umbel clusters with large individual flowers; Erigeron has daisy-like flowers with many thin ray petals.; vs Lantana: Asclepias has reflexed petals with a raised hood crown; Lantana has flat-faced tubular flowers in dense rounded heads.; vs Apocynum: Asclepias has large showy flowers in dome-shaped clusters; Apocynum has tiny bell-shaped flowers in branched sprays.; vs Baccharis: Asclepias has milky sap and large distinctive flowers; Baccharis has clear sap and tiny fuzzy composite flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Asclepias nyctaginifolia native to California?
Yes. Asclepias nyctaginifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Asclepias nyctaginifolia bloom?
Asclepias nyctaginifolia blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Asclepias nyctaginifolia grow?
Asclepias nyctaginifolia occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1000-1700 m.
What plant family does Asclepias nyctaginifolia belong to?
Asclepias nyctaginifolia is in the Apocynaceae family, genus Asclepias.
Is Asclepias nyctaginifolia rare or endangered?
Asclepias nyctaginifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.