Asclepias
Milkweed
Asclepia, commonly known as milkweed, is a versatile genus of flowering plants celebrated for their unique nectar-rich blooms. Beyond their striking aesthetics, these plants hold significant medicinal value in traditional practices and serve as vital host plants for monarch butterflies, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.
- Scientific name: Asclepias
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Gentianaales and the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal species is identified by its genus, Asclepias.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Asclepias | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, belonging to the genus Asclepias, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 马利筋属 (zh-hans) or 马利筋属 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese, it is commonly called 乳草 (zh-hant). This same name, 乳草, is also widely used in Hong Kong (zh-hk) and Singapore (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 马利筋属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 乳草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 乳草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 马利筋属 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 乳草 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 馬利筋屬 | Wikidata |
| pl | Trojeść | Wikidata |
| ru | Ваточник | Wikidata |
| fi | silkkiyrtit | Wikidata |
| uk | Ваточник | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be noted within the borders of Sweden. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is found in the landscapes of Austria and Belgium. Its range further extends through the territories of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, the geographical footprint of this medicinal plant includes the country of Germany.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
Chemicals
Asclepias has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cardenolides, cardenolide.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cardenolides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardenolide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Asclepias has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cardiotonic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiotonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |