Asclepias subulata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Gentianales, it is further categorized into the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Asclepia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range across the arid regions of North America. In the Southwestern United States, it can be found growing in Arizona. Its distribution also extends into the states of California and Nevada. Moving south, the species is prevalent throughout Northwest Mexico. These combined locations define the primary natural habitat for this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Asclepias subulata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant establishes a robust presence in its native habitat, often relying on its perennial nature to withstand environmental fluctuations. While its growth patterns can be influenced by seasonal availability of resources, its fundamental biological strategy is centered on long-term survival rather than a single reproductive event. This perennial habit enables the species to develop extensive root systems and repeat its flowering cycles annually, ensuring a continuous contribution to its local ecosystem and maintaining population stability over extended periods.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Asclepia subulata is characterized by a growth form that functions primarily as a self-supporting shrub or a robust forb. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining its life cycle strictly on land. The plant is an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior toward other species. In terms of its structural development, its woodiness is classified as variable, allowing it to maintain a sturdy, upright habit without the need to act as a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

variable

Reproduction

Reproduction in Asclepias subulata is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit a highly uniform physical profile. The reproductive output is defined by a consistent seed mass, with the mean, maximum, and minimum values all measured at 0.012979 g. This lack of variance in seed mass indicates a highly standardized developmental process during seed maturation, ensuring that each individual seed carries a specific and predictable amount of biological material for dispersal and subsequent germination.

Seed mass mean:

0.012979 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Asclepias subulata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALOTROPIN.

CALOTROPIN

1. Food chemistry

Conditions

Asclepias subulata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer

1. Food chemistry

Preparations

Asclepias subulata has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ASE, ethanolic extract, extract.

Ase

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethanolic extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Extract

1. Food chemistry