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Glite Dictionary
Asclepias speciosa

Asclepias speciosa

9.9
A plant with large star-shaped purple and pink flowers that attracts butterflies
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Asclepias speciosa
  • The large, star-shaped flowers of Asclepias speciosa make it a popular choice among native plant enthusiasts.

Examples

  • Asclepias speciosa is often planted in gardens to attract monarch butterflies.

  • Scientists studied Asclepias speciosa to understand its role in supporting pollinators.

  • The garden was filled with beautiful Asclepias speciosa flowers.

  • I saw an Asclepias speciosa blooming by the roadside.

  • Asclepias speciosa attracts many pollinators with its vibrant pink and purple star-shaped flowers.

  • Many gardeners choose to plant Asclepias speciosa because it thrives in sunny conditions.

  • The butterfly garden featured Asclepias speciosa, which was in full bloom during the summer months.

Synonyms

showy milkweed
vsAsclepias speciosa
  • US
8.3

A plant with large purple and pink star-shaped flowers that attract butterflies

is the formal Latin scientific name for the same species

Surface Forms

Asclepias speciosa singular
Asclepias speciosas plural
Asclepias speciosae singular

Morphology

Asclepias + speciosa

This is a standard Linnaean binomial combining the genus name Asclepias (a milkweed) with the species epithet speciosa, which in Latin means 'showy' or 'beautiful'. If a learner knows both constituents, they can compose the meaning as 'a showy/attractive Asclepias (milkweed) species' directly from the parts; the formation is regular and predictable, so the expression is transparent.

Etymology

Asclepias speciosa may come from two older words: Asclepias links to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of 'healing', because people once used milkweed as medicine, and speciosa is Latin for 'showy', pointing to its large, star-shaped flowers. So the name helps you remember a 'showy' milkweed long known for healing uses.