Plant Highlights

Asclepias erosa is a species of milkweed known commonly as Desert Milkweed. It is native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it is most abundant in the desert regions.
A. erosa stands tall with white to yellow flowers in contrast to its green to yellow stem, blooming from May through July. This species requires well-drained soils and is limited to deserts and near desert conditions with sandy soils. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees and other native insects . Asclepias erosa is a specific Monarch butterfly food and habitat plant.
The plant is filled with a viscous sap that was roasted to a solid and enjoyed as a sort of chewing gum by local Native American tribes.