Mojave Milkweed
Asclepias nyctaginifolia
In the foothills of the Mazatzal Mountains - here Red Brome Grass (Bromus rubens) is rapant. So are ORV's which could carry ignition sources to the dry brome grass. Fire could well destroy these and many other plants in the Sonoran Desert, a habitat that is not fire adapted. Photo submitted to Wikimedia.
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RANGE: Mostly in the higher elevations of the Sonoran Desert where
grassland or chaparral are beginning to appear. Also found in California and
New Mexico.
LEAVES: Wedge-shaped to elyptic with broadly serrated and/or wavy margings. Opposite
on stem and rather tough textured. White latex sap abundant.
PERENNIAL: Regrows each year from underground roots/tubers. Generally
less than30 cm tall.
UNARMED: Latex sap, however, can be irritating.
FLOWERS: Clusters of pale green flowers. This green is not the shade of the leaves but rather a distinct and lovely shade.
FRUIT: Paired ovaries develop from a fertilized flower. After the comose
seeds have been dispersed by the wind the stiff, empty capsules may remain for some months.