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Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
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| Butterfly Weed is a herbaceous perennial from the
milkweed family that dies back in winter and re-sprouts from its underground tuber each
spring. |
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Leaves
Leaves are lance shaped, medium green, and
slightly hairy.
Flowers
Brilliant orange or red flower clusters appear in mid-summer.
Fruit
The fruit is in the form of
attractive, green pods that open in autumn to release silky "parachutes" which
are carried to new locations by the wind.
Sap
Unlike that of other milkweeds, the
sap of the Butterfly Weed is not milky.
Propagation
Propagate by seed or tuber division
in spring.
Landscape usage
Plant Butterfly Weed in mixed borders, meadows and natural areas.
Interesting Facts
Butterfly Weed is in the milkweed
family. And so attract the caterpillars of monarch butterflies which feed only on milkweed
foliage. Adult butterflies of many species sip nectar from the beautiful blossoms of
butterfly weed. |
