Asclepias subverticillata
Asclepias subverticillata is a plant found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Common names include horsetail milkweed, poison milkweed and whorled milkweed.

Description

Growing to  in height, short branches support leaves ranging from  in length. Blooming from May to September, the umbel is  wide, with individual flowers up to  across; each has five petals and five sepals. The fruit pod is smooth and  long; the seeds inside have long hairs.

Distribution and habitat
It is indigenous to New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah and parts of some nearby states, in addition to Mexico.

Toxicity
The species is unpalatable and very toxic to livestock.

Uses
Among the Zuni people the buds are eaten by young boys. The pods are also gathered when two-thirds ripe and the fibers are used for weaving clothing. The coma is made into cords and used for fastening plumes to the prayer sticks.

References

subverticillata
Fiber plants
Flora of the United States
Plants used in Native American cuisine