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Asclepias tuberosa

Species category

Flower, Weed

Common name

butterfly milkweed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

ObovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length: 5.5–7 mm
  • Width: 3.5–4.5 mm
  • Thickness: 1–1.2 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Small warts on dorsalDorsal:
Upper side or back of a seed or fruit.
 side

Other structures

Seed margin is winged.

Identification notes

Longitudinal groove on ventralVentral:
Adaxial; of the side of an organ facing the axis (compare dorsal).
side. Base truncated.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Hawaii

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Asclepiadaceae

Valid name

Asclepias tuberosa L.

Asclepias tuberosa.  Spatulate true seeds with winged margins.
Asclepias tuberosa. Spatulate true seeds with winged margins.
Asclepias tuberosa.  Spatulate true seeds with winged margins.
Asclepias tuberosa. Spatulate true seeds with winged margins.
Asclepias tuberosa.  Spatulate true seeds with winged margins.
Asclepias tuberosa. Spatulate true seeds with winged margins.