This unusual-looking plant that has pods that curve upward and resemble antelope horns are not only used medicinally by Native American communities, they are also important hosts to Monarch, Soldier, and Queen butterflies. The leaves are the primary food source for Monarch caterpillars and the flowers provide nectar for adult butterflies.
About Antelope horn
This plant, also known as Asclepias Asperula is in the milkweed family. It is usually found in desert swales, and on sandy or rocky hillsides. Up to 15 stems can grow from one central root crown. The stems are erect and covered with small hairs. The leaves are long and fold upward from the stem that is green and tinged with maroon. Each stem bears one erect umbel that is composed of greenish-white and maroon flowers that form broad round clusters. The plants bloom from April through August and if pollination is successful, the flowers give way to green seed pods which curve to resemble antelope horns. They are native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Culinary, Ceremonial, and Medicinal Uses
The unopened flower buds are cooked and taste like peas and the young shoots of this plant are cooked and eaten as a substitute for asparagus. The flowers are also boiled down to make a sugary sap. The roots were dug up in the fall, dried and pounded, and used as a snuff to treat congestion and lung infections. The dried root was also used to treat heart problems. The Navajo Ramah used the plant as a ceremonial emetic. An infusion of this plant was made into a lotion to treat coyote bites on humans and animals.
Did You Know...
Other names for this plant are Green flowered milkweed and spider milkweed.
In addition to butterflies, the flowers are a great source of nectar for hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects.
When clusters of ripe seed pods are grown in groups they are thought to resemble a herd of antelope grazing in the grass.
Plants in the milkweed family contain cardiac glycosides, naturally occurring drugs that increase the force of heart contractions and have been used to treat heart conditions.
Asclepias Asperula is derived from Asklepios the Greek word for the god of medicine and Asperula the Greek word for rough. In Greek mythology the Greek god Asklepios brought Orion back to life. The Greeks believed that Asklepios could use his powers to bring any of the dead back to life. The constellation Asklepios is also called the serpent holder.
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