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Definition of asclepias
asclepias
/æˈskliːpiəs/
as · cle · pi · as
Plural:asclepiases
asclepias Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
Syllables
4
• noun
1
Any perennial herbaceous flowering plant of the genus Asclepias in the family Apocynaceae (commonly known as milkweed), native primarily to the Americas and cultivated for its dense, rounded umbels of nectar-rich pink, orange, yellow, or white blossoms that feature reflexed petals and a central crown of five hooded structures, serving as the essential host plant for monarch butterfly larvae.
Synonyms
View all synonyms for asclepias• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Asclepias. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/asclepias