Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: MEAD'S MILKWEED

Phylum: MAGNOLIOPHYTA

Class: MAGNOLIOPSIDA

Order: GENTIANALES

Family: ASCLEPIADACEAE

Genus: ASCLEPIAS

Species: MEADII

Taxonomic Authority: TORR. EX A. GRAY

Taxonomy References: 001

Status

FEDERAL THREATENED
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G2

Status References: 005

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in tallgrass prairies and igneous glades *002,004,007*"

Primary Habitat: "Grassland - native prairie"

References: 002 , 004 , 012

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs primarily in western and southwestern portions of the state. Also found in scattered locations of southeastern and northern Missouri. *003,004*"

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ADAIR JOHNSON
BARTON SCOTLAND
BENTON SHANNON
CASS ST. LOUIS
CEDAR
DADE
HARRISON
HENRY
IRON
PETTIS
POLK
REYNOLDS
ST. CLAIR
VERNON

References for distribution: 003 , 004 , 008 , 012

Distribution by Watersheds

St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
Thompson R.
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Lamine R.
Black R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

See Comments
Perennial Grass (Warm season)

References for Habitat Types: 002 , 004 , 007 , 012

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Prairie
Dry-Mesic Prairie
Mesic Prairie
Chert Prairie
Dry-Mesic Chert Prairie
Glade
Igneous Glade

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 002 , 003 , 004 , 007

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

""

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding adult niche requirements:

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

References for resting adult niche requirements:

Niche Requirement Summary

Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Slope specified in comments(00330)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
050 Fruit has been observed in August *003*.
003 Associated species are Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardII *002,003*, Petalostemum candidum, Gentiana puberula, Ruellia humilis, Silphium laciniatum *002*, Schizachyrium scoparium *003*and Asclepias spp *012*.
045 This species is pollinated by bumblebees (bombus spp.) *004,009* and by miner bees (anthophora spp.) *009*.
031 Survival rate is 96.3% *013*.
044 Individual plants may live for a century or more *013*.
035 Cerambycid beetles (Tetraopis sp.) feed on leaves and flowers of the plant, and their larvae feed on the roots *012*.
042 Outcrossing is necessary for sexual reproduction. Poulations that are small, clonal, or contain few genotypes appear to have low reproductive potential. A plant from seed may take 15 years or more to develop into a flowering plant. Many sites in Missouri lack sexual reproduction of plants *012*.
044 May persist indefinitely or until destroyed by animals or pathogens *012*.

Life History Information

Mortality rate specified in comments(031)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Reproduction (plants):plants monoecious
Reproduction (plants):rhizomatous
Reproduction (plants):see comments(042)
Duration of plant:perennial
Duration of plant:see comments(044)
Duration of plant:see comments(044)
Pollination by:insects
Pollination by:see comments(045)
Seed dispersal by:wind
Life form:herb
Flowering period begins: May
Flowering period ends: June
Fruiting period begins: June
Fruiting period begins: see comments(050)
Fruiting period ends: October
Origin in state: native
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
050 Fruit has been observed in August *003*.
003 Associated species are Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardII *002,003*, Petalostemum candidum, Gentiana puberula, Ruellia humilis, Silphium laciniatum *002*, Schizachyrium scoparium *003*and Asclepias spp *012*.
045 This species is pollinated by bumblebees (bombus spp.) *004,009* and by miner bees (anthophora spp.) *009*.
031 Survival rate is 96.3% *013*.
044 Individual plants may live for a century or more *013*.
035 Cerambycid beetles (Tetraopis sp.) feed on leaves and flowers of the plant, and their larvae feed on the roots *012*.
042 Outcrossing is necessary for sexual reproduction. Poulations that are small, clonal, or contain few genotypes appear to have low reproductive potential. A plant from seed may take 15 years or more to develop into a flowering plant. Many sites in Missouri lack sexual reproduction of plants *012*.
044 May persist indefinitely or until destroyed by animals or pathogens *012*.

References for life history: 013 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 006 , 009 , 012

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Grassland - other (specify in comments)
Grassland - prevent woody invasion
Grassland - maintain large tracts of grassland
Barren land - maintain glades
Barren land - prevent cedar invasion on glades
Grassland - prescribed/controlled burning
Grassland - control undesirable plant species (thistle, cedar, etc.)

Beneficial Management References: 004 , 008 , 010 , 012

Adverse Managment Practices:

Grassland - other (specify in comments)
Agricultural - haying/mowing
Grassland - application of pesticides
Grassland - haying/mowing

Adverse Management References: 004 , 012

Comments on Management:
Beneficial management practices include: delayed mowing until fruits mature, prescribed burning, and reducing pesticide drift *004*. Lack of adequate prairie management such as loss of the fire regime and long term haying are major threats to this species. A serious problem is the removal of immature fruits and seeds by haying *004*. Populations in prairies managed by burning have greater genetic diversity than those in hay meadows *010*. An 11-year KS study of biennial dormant-season burning found that plants often had more flowering ramlets and produced more mature follicles in years with burning *008*. Threats include: loss of habitat due to urbanization and agricultural land conversion, decreased pollinator visitation in small populations, insect and fungal attacks, and pesticide application *004*. Restoration in mid- and late-successional dry-mesic and mesic prairie habitats was attempted in IL and indiana, by planting both seeds and juvenile plants grown in a greenhouse. Restoration in late-successional dry-mesic habitats was most successful. Survival was influenced by both fire and rainfall, and it appeared that prescribed burning was crucial for enhancing survivorship of both seedlings and juvenile plants. *011*. Protect prairie and glade habitat, prevent changes in hydrology, maintain and increase genetic diversity across range and within population, and introduce new populations *012*.

References for Management Comments: 004 , 008 , 010 , 011 , 012

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Yatskievych, G. and J. Turner. 1990. Catalogue Of The Flora Of Missouri. Monographs In Systemic Botany From The Missouri Botanical Garden, V.37. 345 Pp.
002 Steyermark, J.A. 1963. The Flora Of Missouri. The Iowa State University Press. Ames, IA. 1728 pp.
003 Unpb Flora Of Missouri Database. G. Yatskievych, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Mo 63166-0299. 314-577-9522.
004 Unpb Missouri Department Of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102 573-751-4115.
005 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
006 Walters, D.R. and Keil, D.J. 1996. Vascular Plant Taxonomy, Fourth Edition. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. Dubuque, Ia. 608 Pp.
007 Unpb Smith, T.E. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115.
008 Kettle, W.D., H.M. Alexander and G.L. Pittman. 2000. An 11-Year Study Of A Rare Prairie Perennial (Asclepias Meadii): Implications For Monitoring And Management. Amer. Midl. Nat. 144:66-77.
009 Betz, R.F., R.D. Struven, J.E. Wall and F.B. Heitler. 1994. Insect Pollinators Of 12 Milkweed (Asclepias) Species. Pp. 45-60 In T.B. Bragg and J. Stubbendieck (Eds.). Proc. Of The Thirteenth North American Prairie Conference. Dept. Of Parks and Recreation, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
010 Tecic, D.L., J.L. Mcbride, M.L. Bowles and D.L. Nickrent. 1998. Genetic Variability In The Federal Threatened Mead's Milkweek, Asclepias Meadii Torrey (Asclepiadaceae), As Determined By Allozyme Electrophoresis. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 85:970-1009.
011 Bowles, M., J. Mcbride and T. Bell. 2001. Restoration Of The Federally Threatened Mead's Milkweed (Asclepias Meadii). Ecological Restoration 19(4):235-241.
012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Mead's Milkweed (Asclepias meadii) Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, Minnesota. 120p.
013 Slade, N.A., H.M. Alexander, and W.D. Kettle. 2003. Estimation of population size and probabilities of survival and detection in Mead's milkweed. Ecology 84(3): 791-797.