Asclepiadaceae Collection

Marsdenia mollissima
Finished watercolour by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage across the Pacific, 1768-1771. Illustration annotated Cynanchum crassifolium

Close-up of flower heads before opening (redring milkweed, white-flowered milkweed, Asclepias variegata) Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA

Redring milkweed, white-flowered milkweed, Asclepias variegata, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA

Close-up of flower heads before opening (redring milkweed, white-flowered milkweed, Asclepias variegata) Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA

Asclepiadaceae, Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa), Warm greenhouse plant with persistent leaves native to tropical Asia
Herbal, 18th-19th century. Iconographia Taurinensis. Volume XLI, Plate 34 by Angela Rossi Bottione: Asclepiadaceae, Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)

Asclepiadaceae, Carrion Plant (Stapelia hirsuta), Temperate greenhouse succulent plant native to Southern Africa
Herbal, 18th-19th century. Iconographia Taurinensis. Volume VII, Plate 85 by Francesco Peyrolery: Asclepiadaceae, Carrion Plant (Stapelia hirsuta)

Asclepias volubilis
Illustration by George Forster of Asclepias volubilis

Calotropis procera, rubber bush
One of the 162 decorative panels depicting flora that form the ceiling of the Central Hall of the Natural History Museum, London

Ceropegia candelabrum, ceropegia
Illustration from Hortus Indicus Malabaricus (1678-1703) by Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein, of Type Specimens of plants named by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)

Orbea variegata, toad cactus
Sketch 300 from the Ehret Collection of Sketches (unbound) by Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708-1770). Held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum, London

Hoya cf. diversifolia
Finished watercolour by John Frederick Miller from an original outline drawing by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage across the Pacific, 1768-1771

Oxypetalum banksii
Finished watercolour by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage across the Pacific, 1768-1771. Illustration annotated Cynanchum suaveolens

Ditassa banksii
Finished watercolour by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage across the Pacific, 1768-1771. Illustration annotated Asclepias suaveolens

Hoodia juttae, an asclepiad from Namaqualand, South Africa
ROG-13752 Hoodia juttae, an asclepiad Namaqualand, Northern Cape, South Africa Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Lifesaver Plant (Huernia zebrina) close-up of flower, Southern Africa

Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria) flowering, Slovenia, june

Carrion Flower (Huernia hislopii) close-up of flower, smells of rotten meat to attract flies as pollinators, Zimbabwe

Carrion Flower (Orbea hardyi) close-up of inner part of flower, South Africa

Red Dragon Flower (Huernia keniensis) close-up of flower, Africa

Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum fuscatum)
Foliage and flowers of Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum fuscatum). Photographed in Greece

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Asclepiadaceae, also known as the milkweed family, is a diverse group of plants that captivate with their unique flower heads. In this close-up shot, we get a glimpse of the beauty before these flowers fully open. The redring milkweed and white-flowered milkweed varieties showcased here are found in Mammoth Cave National Park, adding to the park's natural allure. Nature's intricate connections come alive as we witness the Pallass long-tongued Bat feeding from Hoya publicalyx, another member of the Asclepiadaceae family. This fascinating interaction showcases how these plants play a vital role in supporting various species' survival. The Carrion Plant (Stapelia hirsuta), depicted in an exquisite watercolor by Francesco Peyrolery from 1755, is a temperate greenhouse succulent native to Southern Africa. Its striking appearance and captivating scent attract pollinators like flies who mistake it for decaying flesh—a clever adaptation for reproduction. Another stunning illustration captures the Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa), a warm greenhouse plant native to tropical Asia and Australia. Angela Rossi Bottione beautifully portrays its persistent leaves that add an evergreen touch to any space. Amongst this vast family lies Asclepias volubilis, Calotropis procera (rubber bush), Ceropegia candelabrum (ceropegia), Orbea variegata (toad cactus), Hoya cf. Diversifolia, and Oxypetalum banksii—each boasting their own distinct characteristics that make them stand out within this botanical lineage. From vibrant colors to intriguing adaptations, Asclepiadaceae continues to mesmerize botanists and nature enthusiasts alike with its wide-ranging diversity. Whether they serve as food sources for bats or deceive unsuspecting insects with their alluring scents, these plants remind us of nature's boundless creativity and the interconnectedness of all living beings.