# Emory’s Milkweed (Asclepias emoryi)

> A low, wiry Chihuahuan Desert milkweed of gypsum and caliche flats in west Texas and southern New Mexico, flowering greenish-cream after any decent rain.

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

## Summary

A low, wiry Chihuahuan Desert milkweed of gypsum and caliche flats in west Texas and southern New Mexico, flowering greenish-cream after any decent rain.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Asclepias emoryi (Greene) Vail |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Common names | Emory’s Milkweed |
| Status | Native |
| Height | 4 in–1.2 ft |
| Spread | 10 in–1.8 ft |
| Flower color | green, cream |
| Bloom period | April to September |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil moisture | Dry |
| USDA zones | 7-10 |
| 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) | 1 |
| Nectar value (0-5) | 2 |
| US states recorded | New Mexico, Texas |

## Identification

- Low sprawling stems with narrow, often folded opposite leaves.
- Small greenish flowers in compact clusters.
- Gypsum, caliche and other harsh calcareous desert soils.

## Ecology

Opportunistic flowering after rain makes it available to monarchs and queens at unpredictable times through the season.

## Growing

Not in cultivation.

## Cautions

Standard milkweed cautions.

## References

- Plants of the World Online: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:21184-2
- GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/8076255
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/158737
- BONAP county map: https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Asclepias%20emoryi.png
- NatureServe: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Search?searchTerm=Asclepias%20emoryi

## Photographs

- Near Arrastra Gulch - Flickr - aspidoscelis (Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Near_Arrastra_Gulch_-_Flickr_-_aspidoscelis.jpg
- Emory’s Milkweed photographed in 78588, San Isidro, TX, US (Cat, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18509370
- Emory’s Milkweed photographed in Texas, US (Tamara T, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5374688
- Emory’s Milkweed photographed in Pleasanton, TX 78064, USA (Cleveland Powell, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/354004708
- Emory’s Milkweed photographed in County Road 369, Sandia, TX, US (Chet Burrier, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/365185098
- Emory’s Milkweed photographed in Texas, US (Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/155196303
- Emory’s Milkweed photographed in Rocksprings, TX 78880, USA (Jo Roberts, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80814342
- Emory’s Milkweed photographed in FM-755, Rio Grande City, TX, US (Jason K., CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/288171889

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Emory’s Milkweed (Asclepias emoryi). https://milkweedusa.com/species/emorys-milkweed/