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Apocynaceae
Asclepias

not marked as a favorite taxon Asclepias tuberosa Linnaeus var. tuberosa. Common name: Eastern Butterflyweed. Phenology: Apr-Sep (-Oct); Jul-Oct. Habitat: Woodland margins, roadsides, pastures. Distribution: S. NH west to OH, south to Panhandle FL and e. TX.

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Tn, Va; = Asclepias tuberosa L. ssp. tuberosa — Can, FNA14, G, K4, NE, RAB, Woodson (1954); = n/a — Il; > Asclepias decumbens L. — S; < Asclepias tuberosa L. — F, Fl5, NY, Pa, Tat, W, WH3; >< Asclepias tuberosa L. — S; Asclepias tuberosa L. Basionym: Asclepias tuberosa L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Asclepias tuberosa ssp. tuberosa - FNA14

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Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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image #1 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #2 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #3 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #4 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #5 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image #6 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming
image #8 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image #9 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #10 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #11 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #12 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #13 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image #14 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #15 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #16 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image #17 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image #18 of Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa© Rob Gardner | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect to ascending perennial of woodland margins, roadsides and pastures.

Stems: Stems often several from a single woody taproot, mostly unbranched, sometimes tinged reddish-purple, rough with stiff hairs.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, short-petiolate, narrowly oblong to lance-shaped, to 4 in. long, hairy.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in terminal and upper axillary compound umbels, orange or reddish-orange, about 1/2 in. long, consisting of 5 strongly reflexed corolla lobes and a central crown--composed of 5 2-parted appendages ("hood" and "horn")--surrounding another complex structure of fused anthers and style.

Fruits: Fruit an erect, narrowly spindle-shaped follicle containing tufted seeds.

Comments: The sap of this milkweed is clear, not milky. A native over much of the eastern U.S., it is a popular garden plant. Nectar-rich flowers attract many pollinators.

Height: 1-3 ft.

plant sale text: Butterfly milkweed is a common roadside wildflower in our area, and like other members of Asclepias genus, is a host to monarch butterfly caterpillars. The distinctive linear leaves and bright orange flowers make butterfly milkweed a standout in summer. Its modest size provides a splash of color without overwhelming small spaces. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, this plants is a "must have" to support Monarch butterflies and up to 12 species of lepidoptera! 1985 N.C. Wildflower of the Year.

bloom table text:

description: Erect to ascending perennial of woodland margins, roadsides and pastures.

stems: Stems often several from a single woody taproot, mostly unbranched, sometimes tinged reddish-purple, rough with stiff hairs.

leaves: Leaves alternate, short-petiolate, narrowly oblong to lance-shaped, to 4 in. long, hairy.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in terminal and upper axillary compound umbels, orange or reddish-orange, about 1/2 in. long, consisting of 5 strongly reflexed corolla lobes and a central crown--composed of 5 2-parted appendages ("hood" and "horn")--surrounding another complex structure of fused anthers and style.

fruits: Fruit an erect, narrowly spindle-shaped follicle containing tufted seeds.

comments: The sap of this milkweed is clear, not milky. A native over much of the eastern U.S., it is a popular garden plant. Nectar-rich flowers attract many pollinators.

cultural notes:

germination code: 2

native range: U.S. & eastern Canada



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