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Butterfly Farming Endangered Species Milkweeds (Asclepias)

Which U.S. States Have Endangered Milkweed Species?

There are a handful of U.S. States which have listed Milkweed species (Asclepias) in some form. There are also federally-listed Milkweed species which applies to many states. Johnny Butterflyseed has gathered some answers for you.

Quick Answer

Any U.S. state with native prairieland will likely have endangered Milkweed, due to habitat destruction.

Federally-Listed Milkweed

Applies from one to many or all states in the U.S.

Asclepias meadii Mead’s milkweed “Threatened Wherever found”

Asclepias prostrata Prostrate milkweed “Endangered Entire”

Asclepias welshii Welsh’s milkweed “Threatened Wherever found”

From https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/reports/ad-hoc-species-report?kingdom=P&status=E&status=T&status=EmE&status=EmT&status=EXPE&status=EXPN&status=SAE&status=SAT&mapstatus=3&fcrithab=on&fstatus=on&fspecrule=on&finvpop=on&fgroup=on&ffamily=on&header=Listed+Plants

Federally-listed Mead’s Milkweed is threatened where found.

Florida

Asclepias curtissii CURTISS’ MILKWEED

Asclepias viridiflora GREEN MILKWEED

Asclepias viridula SOUTHERN MILKWEED

From https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/

Curtis’s Milkweed

Illinois

Asclepias lanuginosa Wooly Milkweed

Asclepias meadii* Mead’s Milkweed

Asclepias ovalifolia Oval Milkweed

Asclepias stenophylla Narrow-leaved Green Milkweed

From https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/naturalheritage/Documents/IllinoisEndangeredandThreatenedSpecies.pdf

Monarch Butterfly on Wooly Milkweed.

Indiana

Asclepias viridis green milkweed

Asclepias meadii Mead’s Milkweed

From https://www.in.gov/dnr/nature-preserves/files/np-Indiana-County-Endangered-Threatened-Rare-Species-List.pdf

Male Monarch on Green Milkweed.

Iowa

Asclepias meadii* Mead’s Milkweed

Eared milkweed Asclepias engelmanniana

From https://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Iowas-Wildlife/Threatened-and-Endangered

Eared or Engelmann’s Milkweed.

Kansas

Asclepias meadii* Mead’s Milkweed

Texas

Asclepias prostrata Prostrate Milkweed

From https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/tcap/sgcn.phtml

Prostrate Milkweed in Texas.

Wisconsin

Asclepias meadii* Mead’s Milkweed

Purple Milkweed Asclepias purpurascens

From https://p.widencdn.net/byxof6/ER001

Purple Milkweed

These are just a few examples, and the status of endangered Milkweed species can vary across states and change over time. It’s important to consult up-to-date sources or contact relevant conservation agencies for the most current and comprehensive information on endangered milkweed species in specific states.

Remember, if you don’t see Milkweed, you won’t see Milkweed Butterflies like the Monarch. Start your Monarch Waystation right away, and together we can help save Milkweed Butterflies… one day at a time!

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