# Slimpod Milkweed (Asclepias quinquedentata)

> A slight, wiry milkweed of Arizona and New Mexico mountain woodland with very narrow leaves and small cream-green flowers, producing the exceptionally slim pods that give it its name.

Source: https://milkweedusa.com/species/slimpod-milkweed/  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Milkweed USA)

## Summary

A slight, wiry milkweed of Arizona and New Mexico mountain woodland with very narrow leaves and small cream-green flowers, producing the exceptionally slim pods that give it its name.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Asclepias quinquedentata A. Gray |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Common names | Slimpod Milkweed, Fivetooth Milkweed |
| Status | Native |
| Height | 1 ft–2.5 ft |
| Spread | 8 in–1.3 ft |
| Flower color | cream, green |
| Bloom period | July to September |
| Light | Part shade, Full sun |
| Soil moisture | Dry |
| USDA zones | 6-9 |
| Leaf arrangement | opposite |
| Leaf shape | narrow |
| Sap | Milky latex |
| Root system | Deep taproot, resents transplanting |
| Seed stratification | 30 days cold-moist |
| Monarch value (0-5) | 2 |
| Garden value (0-5) | 1 |
| Nectar value (0-5) | 2 |
| US states recorded | Arizona, New Mexico |

## Identification

- Very narrow opposite leaves on thin, often leaning stems.
- Small cream to greenish flowers in sparse clusters.
- Pods notably slender and pencil-thin.

## Ecology

A minor but genuine monsoon-season host in southwestern mountain woodland.

## Growing

Not in cultivation.

## Cautions

Standard milkweed cautions.

## References

- Plants of the World Online: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:94582-1
- GBIF: https://www.gbif.org/species/3170234
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/158757
- BONAP county map: https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Asclepias%20quinquedentata.png
- NatureServe: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Search?searchTerm=Asclepias%20quinquedentata

## Photographs

- Slimpod Milkweed photographed in Grant County, NM, USA (Andrew Tree, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127395201
- Slimpod Milkweed photographed in Sierra Vista Southeast, AZ, USA (Sue Carnahan, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/241158380
- Slimpod Milkweed photographed in San Simon, AZ 85632, USA (botanygirl, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/390398058
- Slimpod Milkweed photographed in Grant County, NM, USA (Andrew Tree, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127395201
- Slimpod Milkweed photographed in Grant County, NM, USA (Andrew Tree, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127395201
- Slimpod Milkweed photographed in Grant County, NM, USA (Andrew Tree, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127395201
- Slimpod Milkweed photographed in Grant County, NM, USA (Andrew Tree, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127395201
- Slimpod Milkweed photographed in Grant County, NM, USA (Andrew Tree, CC BY 4.0): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127395201

## How to cite

Milkweed USA. (2026). Slimpod Milkweed (Asclepias quinquedentata). https://milkweedusa.com/species/slimpod-milkweed/