Sm.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.130864
Element CodePDASC02020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderGentianales
FamilyApocynaceae
GenusAsclepias
Other Common Namesclasping milkweed (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2023-09-19
Change Date1984-02-09
Edition Date2023-09-19
Edition AuthorsNordman, C. (2023).
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsClasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) occurs in the eastern United States, from New England to Kansas, Texas and Florida. There are likely more than 1400 occurrences, including on various National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and State Parks, especially in the southern part of its range, and on Shenandoah National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. Threats include habitat loss and fragmentation due to development, lack of fire leading to forest canopy closure and forest succession, and competition from invasive exotic plants.
Range Extent CommentsClasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) occurs in the eastern United States, from New York and southern New England west to Wisconsin, eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, and south to Texas and Florida. Range extent was estimated to be 3.3 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1992 and 2023 (GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023, SEINet 2023, Weakley and Southeastern Flora Team 2022).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1992 and 2023, it is estimated that there are more than 1400 occurrences of Asclepias amplexicaulis rangewide (GBIF 2023, iNaturalist 2023, SEINet 2023).
Threat Impact CommentsThreat impacts are likely low overall, including from habitat loss and fragmentation due to development, lack of fire leading to forest canopy closure and forest succession, and competition from invasive exotic plants.