“Milkweeds in general are the larval host plants for Monarch butterflies, and this species

is probably the single most important host plant for Monarch butterflies in California.

Milkweed gardeners should be prepared for the plant to be eaten by Monarch caterpillars,

but will be rewarded by the presence of beautiful Monarch Butterflies. The plant is

deciduous in winter and will sometimes die back to the ground before reviving in the

Spring, and is often covered with aphids, so often best to plant in less prominent spots

in a garden.” - California Native Plant Society