By Beverly Wickersham
Special to the Daily Herald
More than 140 species of milkweeds have been identified. Milkweeds, a member of the Asclepiadaceae family, get their name from the thick white sap that oozes from any broken plant surface. This sap is poisonous to livestock; however, they will avoid eating the plant unless they are desperate for food.
The family name honors Asclepias, the god of medicine and good health in Greek mythology. Three species can be readily found in Central Texas: "Antelope Horns" (Asclepias asperula) — the most common milkweed in our area; "Butterfly Weed" or "Orange Milkweed" (Asclepias tuberosa) — the most striking milkweed, also known as "Pleurisy Root" because it was used to relieve inflammation of the lining of the lungs and thorax. The root of the Butterfly Milkweed was officially listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1905. The third variety is "Green Milkweed" (Asclepias viridis) a stout plant with an inflorescence similar to "Antelope Horns."
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