Asclepias californica
Asclepias californica
Asclepias californica is a species of the genus milkweed ( Asclepias ) in the subfamily of the milkweed family ( Asclepiadoideae ) within the family of the dogbane family ( Apocynaceae ). It occurs only in California and northern Baja California.
- 5.1 Literature
- 5.2 Notes and references
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Asclepias californica grows as a perennial, herbaceous plant, reaching the heights of growth from 20 to 90 cm. The upright, ascending, partly lying stems are covered with very characteristic white, spider-like hairs ( trichomes ).
The constantly against arranged on the stems leaves are sessile to short -stalked ( 0-2 cm). The relatively thin and flexible, and at least the age nearly glabrous leaf blade is at a length of 4 to 16 cm and a width of 2.5 and 7 cm wide, ovate to lance-shaped with a heart shaped Spreitenbasis and a pointed to blunt end.
Generative features
The flowering period extends from April to July. The terminal or nearly terminal approximately, seated or standing on a 3 cm long inflorescence stem inflorescence is mehrblütig. The flower stalks are 2 to 4 cm long.
The relatively large flowers are hermaphroditic, radial symmetry and fünfzählig. The five sepals are hairy oval to lance-shaped and densely white with a length of about 4 mm. The five purple petals are strongly recurved and densely hairy. The crown tip are 1 to 1.2 cm long. The purple sessile or short stalked Gynostegium is. The corona lobes are deeply saccular and 4 to 5 mm long. The horn-shaped projection is very small or may be absent. The stylus head has a length of about 3 mm and a diameter of about 5 mm.
The upright stems on curved follicles are at a length of 8 to 10 cm and a diameter of 2 to 2.5 cm wide, fusiform and take to the tip slowly thickness. Their surface is covered with dense hair white. The broad oval with a length of about 1 cm seeds have an approximately 2 cm long hair.
Occurrence
Asclepias californica is endemic in California (USA) and northern Baja California ( Northern Mexico ). It thrives there on dry soils at altitudes 200-2100 meters (including data from 0 to 2500 meters).
Use
Asclepias californica is also used as an ornamental plant.
System
The species Asclepias californica is divided by Woodson in two subspecies:
- Asclepias californica subsp. californica: Distribution: Southern California and Baja California ( Northern Mexico ). The Gynostegium greater power is sitting and the crown tip are at the base strong hanging.
- Asclepias californica subsp. greenei; Distribution: Northern California. The Gynostegium is clearly stalked and the crown tip are barely hanging on their base.