# Eastwood’s Milkweed (Asclepias eastwoodiana)

> A Nevada endemic of barren volcanic gravel and clay flats in the central Great Basin, forming low gray-green tufts with dusky maroon and cream flowers. Known from a small number of populations and tracked as a sensitive species.

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

## Summary

A Nevada endemic of barren volcanic gravel and clay flats in the central Great Basin, forming low gray-green tufts with dusky maroon and cream flowers. Known from a small number of populations and tracked as a sensitive species.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Asclepias eastwoodiana Barneby |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Common names | Eastwood’s Milkweed, Great Basin Milkweed |
| Status | Native; rare or legally protected in part of its range |
| Height | 6 in–1.2 ft |
| Spread | 10 in–1.7 ft |
| Flower color | maroon, cream |
| Bloom period | May to June |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil moisture | Dry |
| USDA zones | 5-8 |
| Leaf arrangement | opposite |
| Leaf shape | ovate |
| Sap | Milky latex |
| Root system | Deep taproot, resents transplanting |
| Seed stratification | 60 days cold-moist |
| Monarch value (0-5) | 1 |
| Garden value (0-5) | 1 |
| Nectar value (0-5) | 2 |
| US states recorded | Nevada |

## Identification

- Low, tufted habit on bare volcanic or ash-derived soils.
- Greyish, softly hairy, broadly oval leaves.
- Small flowers with maroon corolla lobes and pale cream hoods.

## Ecology

A narrow endemic of a habitat type increasingly targeted for mineral exploration. Its pollinators and larval use are poorly documented.

## Growing

Not in cultivation, and should not be collected.

## Cautions

A restricted Nevada endemic. Record and report sightings rather than collecting.

## References

- Plants of the World Online: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:21182-2
- GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/3578016
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/541501
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias_eastwoodiana
- BONAP county map: https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Asclepias%20eastwoodiana.png
- NatureServe: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Search?searchTerm=Asclepias%20eastwoodiana

## Photographs

- Asclepias eastwoodiana (Matt Berger (sheriff_woody_pct on inaturalist), CC BY 4.0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_eastwoodiana.jpg
- Eastwood’s Milkweed photographed in Dave Deacon Camp Rd, Tonopah, NV, US (Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165012799
- Eastwood’s Milkweed photographed in Nevada, US (sdash, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/285914781
- Eastwood’s Milkweed photographed in Dave Deacon Camp Rd, Tonopah, NV, US (Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165012799
- Eastwood’s Milkweed photographed in Dave Deacon Camp Rd, Tonopah, NV, US (Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165012799
- Eastwood’s Milkweed photographed in Dave Deacon Camp Rd, Tonopah, NV, US (Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165012799
- Eastwood’s Milkweed photographed in Dave Deacon Camp Rd, Tonopah, NV, US (Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165012799
- Eastwood’s Milkweed photographed in Dave Deacon Camp Rd, Tonopah, NV, US (Matt Berger, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165012799

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Eastwood’s Milkweed (Asclepias eastwoodiana). https://milkweedusa.com/species/eastwoods-milkweed/