Pineneedle milkweed facts for kids

Asclepias linaria is a type of milkweed plant. It is often called pineneedle milkweed because its leaves look like pine needles. This plant is special because it helps monarch butterflies.

Quick facts for kids Pineneedle milkweed
Scientific classification
Genus:	Asclepias
Species:	linaria

What is Pineneedle Milkweed?

Pineneedle milkweed is a large plant. It can be a perennial herb or a shrub. This means it lives for many years. The plant is covered in tiny hairs.

Where Does It Grow?

This plant grows naturally in certain desert areas. You can find it in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Deserts. These deserts are located in northwestern Mexico. They are also found in the U.S. states of California and Arizona.

What Does It Look Like?

Pineneedle milkweed has many narrow, green leaves. These leaves really do look like pine needles. Its flowers grow in a cluster. This cluster is shaped like an umbel, which is similar to an umbrella.

Each flower has pink-tinted parts in the center. These are called hoods. The outer parts of the flower are greenish. They bend backward. After the flowers, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is called a follicle.

Why Is It Important for Monarch Butterflies?

Pineneedle milkweed is very important for monarch butterflies. It contains special chemicals called cardenolides. These chemicals help monarch butterflies fight off a tiny parasite. The parasite is called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, or OE for short.

When monarch caterpillars eat this milkweed, the cardenolides help them. They make the butterflies stronger against the parasite. This means the butterflies are healthier. Not all milkweed plants have a lot of cardenolides. Some types have very few. Pineneedle milkweed is a great source of these helpful chemicals.

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