Asclepias stellifera
| Asclepias stellifera | |
|---|---|
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| Asclepias stellifera in bloom | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Asclepias |
| Species: | A. stellifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Asclepias stellifera | |
| Synonyms | |
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Asclepias stellifera, commonly known as the common meadow-star, is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It is a perennial herb native to southern Africa, where it occurs in South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho. It grows mainly in subtropical grasslands and is often associated with rocky sites.[2]
The species is assessed as Least Concern on the Red List of South African Plants.[1]
Description
Asclepias stellifera is a relatively small perennial herb that regrows from its underground parts. Its upright stems emerge among surrounding grassland vegetation.
The leaves are narrow and elongated, with strongly rolled-under margins. Their surfaces bear short hairs, and a prominent central vein runs along each blade.
The flowers are borne in compact clusters near the upper portions of the stems. Each flower has five reflexed corolla lobes surrounding a central corona characteristic of milkweeds. The flowers have a star-like appearance, reflected in the English common name “common meadow-star”.
The corolla is pale toward the outer portions and becomes darker, often purplish, toward the center. The narrow corolla lobes may appear partly rolled inward. Flowering occurs mainly during the warmer months and may be stimulated by grassland fire followed by seasonal rainfall.[3]
As in other milkweeds, damaged stems and leaves produce a milky latex. Its flowers provide nectar for insects, and its pollen is carried in specialized masses called pollinia.
Taxonomy
German botanist Rudolf Schlechter formally described Asclepias stellifera in 1896. The name was published in a supplement to Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie.[4]
The name is cited as:
- Asclepias stellifera Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 21(5, Beibl. 54): 9. 1896.[4]
IPNI records the date of publication as 12 May 1896. The original entry placed the species in Asclepiadaceae, a family now generally treated as the subfamily Asclepiadoideae within Apocynaceae.[4][2]
Plants of the World Online accepts Asclepias stellifera as a distinct species. It recognizes four heterotypic synonyms:[2]
- Asclepias simplex (Schltr.) Schltr.
- Gomphocarpus revolutus (E.Mey.) D.Dietr.
- Gomphocarpus simplex Schltr.
- Lagarinthus revolutus E.Mey.
The specific epithet stellifera is derived from Latin elements meaning “star-bearing”, referring to the star-like appearance of the flowers.
Distribution
Asclepias stellifera is native to southern Africa. Plants of the World Online records it from the Cape Provinces, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the northern provinces of South Africa, as well as Eswatini and Lesotho.[2]
Within South Africa, the national Red List records it from the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West. It is therefore broadly distributed across the eastern and central parts of the country rather than being endemic to South Africa.[1]
Habitat and ecology
The species is terrestrial and occurs primarily in open grassland. It may grow among rocks or on rocky slopes within highland and montane grassland environments.[1][3]
Like many grassland herbs of southern Africa, it can survive the loss of its above-ground stems during the dry season or following fire. New growth may emerge after burning and the arrival of spring or summer rain.[3]
Its flowers are visited by nectar-feeding insects. Pollination in Asclepias differs from that of many flowering plants because pollen grains are grouped into pollinia, which can become attached to visiting insects and carried to another flower.
Conservation
Asclepias stellifera is classified as Least Concern on the Red List of South African Plants. The national assessment was completed on 30 June 2005 and was later included in the 2009 Red List of South African Plants.[1]
The species received an automated Least Concern classification because it was not identified by any of the screening processes used to highlight plants potentially requiring a detailed assessment. SANBI notes that taxa assigned automated statuses are being progressively subjected to full assessments.[1]
Its relatively broad distribution across several South African provinces and neighboring countries supports the conclusion that it is not presently considered at high risk of extinction. The SANBI assessment does not identify major population declines or immediate threats affecting the species throughout its range.[1]
Common names
In English, the species is known as the common meadow-star. SANBI also records the names mohlatsisa and moholantja in siSwati.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Foden, W.; Potter, L. (30 June 2005). "Asclepias stellifera Schltr". Red List of South African Plants. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Asclepias stellifera Schltr". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Asclepias stellifera". Clarens News. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Asclepias stellifera Schltr". International Plant Names Index. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Herbarium. Retrieved 23 July 2026.