Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - January 08, 2006
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Sources for seed of Utah native Asclepias labriformis
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi there, I am looking for seeds of the plant "Asclepias labriformis" which is native to Utah. Can you help me to find seeds from this plant?ANSWER:
You can search by state or region for nurseries or seed companies that specialize in native plants for your area in the National Suppliers Directory on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center web page. Since, according to the USDA Plants Database, the distribution for Asclepias labriformis (Utah or Labriform Milkweed) is restricted to Utah, I looked at seed companies and nurseries only in Utah and found the following:1) Great Basin Natives in Holden, Utah has Asclepias asperula, Spider Milkweed.
2) Granite Seed Company in Lehi, Utah offers A. tuberosa, Butterfly Milkweed.
3) Stevenson Intermountain Seed, Inc. in Ephraim, Utah also lists A. tuberosa.
The Utah Native Plant Society web page also has a list of native plant suppliers, as does the Utah's Choice—Native Plants for Intermountain Landscapes web page. Utah's Choice is sponsored by the Intermountain Native Plant Growers Association. From the Utah's Choice web page "Participating Nurseries", Willard Bay Gardens in Willard, Utah has A. incarnata, Swamp Milkweed, as well as A. tuberosa. I only tried the suppliers with web page listings. There were others with telephone and/or e-mail contact information. You might try contacting these other suppliers. Better yet, you might contact the Intermountain Native Plant Growers Association and/or the Utah Native Plant Society for help in finding seeds for A. labriformis.
Alternatively, or additionally, if you know of a stand of the plants, you might contact the landowner for permission to collect seeds. The species is not endangered or threatened. In fact, it is on the U.S. Invasive Weeds list. Its listing comes from: T. D. Whitson et al., ed. 1996. "Weeds of the West". Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with Cooperative Extension Services, University of Wyoming. Laramie, Wyoming. It is listed, most probably, because of its toxicity. From "Weeds of the West", pp. 36-37: "Labriform milkweed is a native species considered to be one of the most poisonous of all western milkweeds. As little as one ounce of green leaf material from this species can kill an adult sheep." Its toxicity may also be one reason you are having trouble finding seeds.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Gathering seeds of Indian Blanket from Duncanville TX
June 09, 2012 - We have a field full of Indian Blanket that are blooming now and would like to share some seeds with our friends! Where is the seed on them and I take it we wait till they are done blooming to get the...
view the full question and answer
Where to find seed drill
October 15, 2009 - Hello I am a recent member. I want to conserve a 4 acre parcel with native grasses. Do you know where I can rent a small seed drill? I have heard that some conservation groups own these for rent. I wa...
view the full question and answer
Source of seeds for helianthus salicifolius (Willowleaf sunflower)
February 27, 2008 - Where can I purchase seeds for helianthus salicifolius?
view the full question and answer
Plants for a new duck pond that are duck proof
January 28, 2009 - Sir. I live in Charleston SC. I dug a pond for ducks in my backyard. I want to plant grass and anything else that will grow around the pond that the ducks won't want to eat up. What should I buy to p...
view the full question and answer
Outdoor container gardening in Hughesville PA
September 15, 2009 - Coming from Europe, I have found myself in a whole new climate and am trying to learn about what is possible for gardening in PA. Unfortunately, at this moment,we live in a trailer and have little roo...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
