# Bract Milkweed (Asclepias brachystephana)

> A low desert grassland milkweed with narrow folded leaves and dense clusters of small dusky purple flowers held tight in the leaf axils, common on caliche flats in New Mexico and west Texas.

Source: https://milkweedusa.com/species/bract-milkweed/  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Milkweed USA)

## Summary

A low desert grassland milkweed with narrow folded leaves and dense clusters of small dusky purple flowers held tight in the leaf axils, common on caliche flats in New Mexico and west Texas.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Asclepias brachystephana Engelm. ex Torr. |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Common names | Bract Milkweed, Short-crown Milkweed |
| Status | Native |
| Height | 6 in–1.5 ft |
| Spread | 1 ft–2 ft |
| Flower color | maroon, purple |
| Bloom period | April to August |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil moisture | Dry |
| USDA zones | 6-10 |
| Leaf arrangement | opposite |
| Leaf shape | narrow |
| Sap | Milky latex |
| Root system | Deep taproot, resents transplanting |
| Seed stratification | 30 days cold-moist |
| Monarch value (0-5) | 3 |
| Garden value (0-5) | 2 |
| Nectar value (0-5) | 2 |
| US states recorded | Arizona, New Mexico, Texas |

## Identification

- Small purple-maroon flowers in compact axillary clusters.
- Narrow leaves, often folded along the midrib and grayish.
- Low sprawling habit on hard calcareous desert soils.

## Ecology

A widespread Chihuahuan Desert host used by monarchs and queens during migration.

## Growing

Rarely cultivated.

## Cautions

Standard milkweed cautions.

## References

- Plants of the World Online: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:94136-1
- GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/3170258
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/158733
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias_brachystephana
- BONAP county map: https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Asclepias%20brachystephana.png
- NatureServe: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Search?searchTerm=Asclepias%20brachystephana

## Photographs

- Asclepias brachystephana - Flickr - aspidoscelis (Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_brachystephana_-_Flickr_-_aspidoscelis.jpg
- Asclepias brachystephana - Flickr - aspidoscelis (1) (Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_brachystephana_-_Flickr_-_aspidoscelis_(1).jpg
- Asclepias brachystephana - Flickr - aspidoscelis (2) (Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_brachystephana_-_Flickr_-_aspidoscelis_(2).jpg
- Bract Milkweed photographed in Pecos County, TX, USA (Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126146369
- Bract Milkweed photographed in Brewster, Texas, United States (Reid Hardin, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/118716880
- Bract Milkweed photographed in Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, US-TX, US (Sam Kieschnick, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4252505
- Bract Milkweed photographed in Jeff Davis County, TX, USA (Joseph Aubert, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/298313092
- Bract Milkweed photographed in Midland, TX  79705, Midland, TX, US (samlutfy, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/12666898

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Bract Milkweed (Asclepias brachystephana). https://milkweedusa.com/species/bract-milkweed/