Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa, also called pleurisy root) is a species of milkweed native to eastern North America. It is a perennial plant growing to 0.6-2 m (1 -2 feet) tall, with clustered orange or yellow flowers from early summer to early fall. The leaves are spirally arranged, lanceolate, 5-12 cm long and 2-3 cm broad.

This plant favors dry, sand or gravel soil, but has also been reported on stream margins.

The common name comes from the butterflies that are attracted to the plant by its color and its copious production of nectar. Butterfly weed is also the larval food plant of the Queen butterfly.

Identification

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The plant looks similar to the Lanceolate milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata), however the Butteryfly weed is uniquely identified by the larger number of flowers and hairy stems. It is most commonly found in fields with dry soil.

Other common names

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Canada-root, Chiggerflower, Indian posy, Orange-root, Orange swallowwort, Tuberroot, Whiteroot, Windroot, Yellow or Orange milkweed.

Subspecies indicated

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• Asclepias tuberosa interior, Central United States.
• Asclepias tuberosa rolfsii (Rolfs Milkweed), Southeast United States.
• Asclepias tuberosa tuberosa, Eastern United States.

External links

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• Butterfly weed brief information and pictures
• USDA information
• A_Wikimanual_of_Gardening_Volume_7/Asclepias_tuberosa

References

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Flora of Canada | Gentianales