Paleo Foraging

Asclepias asperula (Decne.) Woodson

Synonyms: = A. capricornu, A. decumbens, Asclepiodora decumbens

Common names: Spider milkweed, antelope horns, antelopehorn milkweed

Gosiute: pi’-wa-nûp (Chamberlin 1911:363)

Navajo: tjatíltee’íh – “antelope horn” (Elmore 1944:69)

Location in Texas: all TX except far E & S; common in Travis Co.

Form: herb; perennial.

Flowers: Mar-Oct (white, green).

Food

Sap – chewing gum was made from the latex by the Gosiute (Chamberlin 1911:363).

Experimentation

Various other species of Asclepias were used for food by many Indian tribes. The parts used (foliage, flowers, fruits) were always used when very young, and were always boiled.

I have gathered the young flower buds and foliage of Asclepias asperula, boiled them for 10 minutes and eaten them. They taste fairly good but have a faint lingering bitterness. I have tried them fresh, and they are extremely bitter.