Tropical Milkweed Asclepias curassavica
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- as-KLEE-pee-as kur-a-SA-vih-ka
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Tropical Milkweed is a tender erect perennial often grown as an annual. It can be weedy in disturbed areas and is frequently found naturalized in waste places, roadsides, or fields.
Its bright orange-red flowers form in clusters on top of the leaves and stems that have a milky juice when damaged. Blooming from spring to fall in temperate climates. Plant it in the full sun in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. It will reach a height of 3 feet and a spread of 2 feet.
Although milkweed is an important food source for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus), this plant isn't recommended for attracting Monarch Butterflies because they can bloom out of sync with Monarch migration patterns and hold them too long in one area, affecting their populations. Plant one of the native milkweeds instead. In addition to the Monarch, the larvae of the Milkweed Tussock moth (Euchaetes Egle) feed on this plant.
It will remain as an evergreen to Zone 9b. The long tap root makes it difficult to transplant when mature.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids are a common insect. They tend to colonize on the plant, which can lead to sooty mold. Spraying the leaves with a forceful stream of water, such as from a hose, will help wash the aphids off.
Ophryocystis elektroscirrha a monarch parasite can occur on this plant in locations where this plant does not die back in the winter months. This protozoan parasite can be left on the leaves of a plant by visiting monarchs. As the caterpillars eat the leaves, they also ingest the parasite. This can lead to a shortened lifespan, lower body mass and their flight ability. Cutting the plant down will help to remediate this issue but the best course of action is to plant one of the native milkweed (found in the left hand column) instead.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Apollo Orange'
Orange flowers - 'Apollo Yellow'
Yellow Flowers - 'Red Butterfly'
Dark red flowers - 'Silky Deep Red'
Dark red flowers - 'Silky Gold'
Yellow flowers
- 'Apollo Orange'
- 'Apollo Orange', 'Apollo Yellow', 'Red Butterfly', 'Silky Deep Red', 'Silky Gold'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Apollo Orange'
Orange flowers - 'Apollo Yellow'
Yellow Flowers - 'Red Butterfly'
Dark red flowers - 'Silky Deep Red'
Dark red flowers - 'Silky Gold'
Yellow flowers
- 'Apollo Orange'
- 'Apollo Orange', 'Apollo Yellow', 'Red Butterfly', 'Silky Deep Red', 'Silky Gold'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- curassavica
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Tropical America
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and moths. Although monarch butterflies are attracted to this plant, the butterflies are better served by native species. See text.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are dry and inflated with an erect follicle and many hair-tufted seeds. They are often used in dried arrangements.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Brilliant orange-red with yellow flowers in clusters spanning 2-4" across. Each cluster can contain 6 to 15 flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The narrow leaves are simple, alternate, opposite, or whorled. The medium green leaves may have a white midrib.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The stems can be simple or branched.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Messy
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and confusion if eaten in quantity. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cardiac glycosides and resinoids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
