Marcus, Joseph A.
Asclepias tuberosa L.
Butterflyweed, Butterfly milkweed, Orange milkweed, Pleurisy root
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
This bushy, 1 1/2-2 ft.
perennial is prized for its large, flat-topped clusters of bright-orange flowers. The leaves are mostly
alternate, 1 1/2–2 1/4 inches long, pointed, and smooth on the edge. The yellow-orange to bright orange flower clusters, 2–5 inches across, are at the top of the flowering stem. The abundance of stiff, lance-shaped foliage provides a dark-green backdrop for the showy flower heads.
This showy plant is frequently grown from seed in home gardens. Its brilliant flowers attract butterflies. Because its tough root was chewed by the Indians as a cure for pleurisy and other pulmonary ailments, Butterfly
Weed was given its other common name, Pleurisy Root. Although it is sometimes called Orange Milkweed, this species has no milky sap.
Image Gallery:
84 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Leaf Retention: Deciduous Size Notes: 1-1.5 feet
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AZ , AR , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: NB ,
NL ,
NS ,
ON ,
QC Native Distribution: Ontario to Newfoundland; New England south to Florida; west to Texas; north through Colorado to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Grows in prairies, open woods, canyons, and hillsides throughout most of the state, common in eastern two thirds of Texas, uncommon in the Hill Country. Plant in well-drained sand, loam, clay, or limestone.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Prefers well-drained sandy soils. Tolerates drought.
Conditions Comments: Butterfly
weed has an interesting and unusual flower structure. Plant it among other mid-sized perennials. Inevitably butterfly
weed will get aphids; you can leave them for ladybugs to eat or spray the insects and foliage with soapy water. Aphids can also be removed by blasting the plant with a high pressure stream of water.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Butterfly
weed makes a delightful cut flower. Strong color, Blooms ornamental, Showy, Long-living,
Perennial garden.
Use Medicinal: Its tough root was chewed by First Nations People as a cure for pleurisy and other pulmonary ailments explaining its other common name, pleurisy root. (Niering)
Fresh root chewed for bronchitis and other respiratory complaints. Tea of root for diarrhea.
Use Other: This showy plant is frequently grown from seed in home gardens.
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Roots, plant
sap from all parts. Not edible. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include vomiting, stupor, weakness, spasms. Toxic Principle: Resinoid, cardiac glycoside. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Grey Hairstreak, Monarch, Queens
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Asclepias tuberosa is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-12-07
