Asclepias speciosa is distinctive CA native perennial that grows to about 4′ tall and features large, pointed, banana-like leaves arranged opposite on a stalk-like stem. Fragrant, attractive, furry pale pink to pinkish-purple flowers appear in dense clusters. It also bears somewhat large, rough-follicled fruit filled with many flat oval seeds and silky plumes. Milkweed spreads by underground rhizomes which form an expanding clump. This CA native plant is very attractive to pollinators including birds, insects, and the Monarch butterfly. Alkaloids inside the plant are also picked up by caterpillars and provide protection by making them taste awful to predators. Planting this plant in a Bay Area landscape can help support native habitats and provide an essential food source.