Asclepias fascicularis Decne.
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)
Mexican whorled milkweed
Primary Disseminule Type
seed (with or without attached tuft of hairs)
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Fruit a dehiscent pod (follicle), lanceoloid, 6–9 cm long, containing numerous seeds.
Seed ovate in outline, truncate at apex, strongly dorsiventrally compressed but often wavy (edges typically strongly curved towards adaxial side) instead of flat and with a distinct marginal rim (narrowly winged, wing wrinkled), cross-section narrowly elliptic (and often wavy), 5.5–8 mm long x 3–5 mm wide x 1–2 mm thick, with a tuft of easily deciduous 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, rough (wrinkled reticulations on top of individually-colored tubercles), general color orangish-brown, individual cells various shades of tan to dark orangish-brown, mottled.
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