Milkweed, Sand

Asclepias arenaria

Sand Milkweed, perennial, is native to the Midwest portion of the United States, ranging from Texas to South Dakota and Wyoming to New Mexico. As suggested by its name, this species thrives in sandy dry soils found in the sand sage and mixed grassed prairies. It prefers full sunlight but will tolerate some shade. The globe shaped inflorescence is made up of greenish cream colored/pink flowers when in bloom from June-August. The flowers give way to seed pods that when ripe, open up to release the tufted seed that is carried away by the wind. All parts of the plant are toxic to livestock and humans, although many Native American tribes ingested it for medicinal uses. If the plant is broken, such as having a leaf removed, it produces a milky white sap from the wound.