Asclepias eriocarpa Benth.
Family: Apocynaceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
none
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
Indian milkweed, kotolo
Primary Disseminule Type
seed (with or without attached tuft of hairs)
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Fruit a dehiscent pod (follicle), lanceolate-ovoid, containing numerous seeds.
Seed ovate in outline, truncate at apex, strongly dorsiventrally compressed but often wavy instead of flat and with a distinct marginal rim (narrowly winged), cross-section narrowly elliptic (and often wavy), 8–10 mm long x 5–6 mm wide x 1–2 mm thick, with a tuft of easily deciduous, whitish, silky hairs (coma) ca. 3 cm long at the apex. Raphe conspicuous on adaxial face as a central, longitudinal ridge extending from the apex to about 3/4 the length of the seed. Surface dull, granular (wrinkled reticulations with raised irregular ridges), general color orangish-brown with lighter-colored perimeter, individual epidermal cells various shades of tan to dark orangish-brown (mottled on the microscopic level). Adaxial face with a central dark brown area.
Hilum at apex, punctate.
Similar Species
Similar Species Comparison Chart
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI