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Asclepias tuberosa is often confused with:
Asclepias variegata Asclepias variegata
Kniphofia x praecox
Narcissus Narcissus
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Echinacea purpurea Flowers (Wake County, NC)
Monarda didyma Flowers
Rudbeckia hirta Composite head detail
Asclepias tuberosa has some common insect problems:
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Milkweed Bug

Asclepias tuberosa

Phonetic Spelling
as-KLEE-pee-as too-ber-OH-sah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Butterfly weed is a tuberous-rooted, native, herbaceous perennial in the Apocynaceae, or dogbane, family. Its Latin genus name, Asclepias, honors the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios. The species name, tuberosa, refers to the root. The plant is upright, typically growing in clumps 1 to 3 feet tall, and is found in dry, rocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields, and roadsides. Unlike many of the other milkweeds, this species does not have milky-sapped stems.

The plant is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It is drought tolerant, moderately salt tolerant, and does well in poor, dry soils. The plant grows easily from seed, but expect that it will take two to three years to establish and produce flowers. Mature plants may freely self-seed in the landscape if seed pods are not removed prior to splitting open. Butterfly weed does not transplant well due to its deep taproot and is probably best left undisturbed once established.

Milkweed is a great choice for a meadow garden, with showy yellow-orange flower clusters topping its upright stems. Pair it with other plants like native, ornamental grasses and wildflowers, such as asters and purple coneflowers, to a create a butterfly habitat. In a perennial border, pair it with torch lilies or with cooler blues and purples, such as speedwell plants. This plant was selected as the 1985 NC Wildflower of the YearAlso a food source for larvae of  Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly the as well as the Milkweed Tussock moth (Euchaetes Egle).

Be sure to wear gloves as the milky sap can cause contact dermatitis.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Erect, perennial herb has spiraling narrow leaves
  • Axillary cymes of orange flowers are flat topped
  • Flowers have a corona of a hood and horn

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant is mostly pest free. Aphids may cluster at the top of the plant. To remedy this problem, knock them off with a strong spray of water every two or three days for a week. Crown rot can occur in wet, poorly drained soils. It is also susceptible to rust and leaf spot.

 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County Herb & Flower Cottage Garden Beehive Garden, Wake Co West Side Foundation Planting in Cabarrus County Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#full sun tolerant#red flowers#moth caterpillar host#yellow flowers#native perennial#honey bees#salt tolerant#orange flowers#rabbit resistant#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#nighttime garden#herbaceous perennial#native garden#Monarch butterfly#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#fantz#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#larval host plant#food source fall#flowers early summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#roadside#stormwater demo garden orange co#wilson mg plant sale 2021#container plant#butterfly caterpillar host#wildflower#buncombe county sun and shade garden#moth friendly#wildlife friendly#meadow#cpp#hs111#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Asclepias
    Species:
    tuberosa
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Has been used medicinally in herbal medicine in small doses
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and southern United States
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    The flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and insect pollinators. The plant is a larval host plant for monarch (which appear in the spring and summer and may have one to three broods in the north and four to six broods in the south), gray hairstreak, queen, and milkweed tussock moth caterpillars.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Dehiscent 4"-5" spindle-shaped follicle seed pods (3-6" long) release silky-tailed seeds which are dispersed by wind. Follicles, fusiformed, smooth, paired; seeds with silky, apical tuft of trichomes. Displays from August to September
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Crown
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Clusters of bright orange to yellow-orange flowers atop upright to reclining hairy stems. The flowers have five sepals, five petals, and five stamens. Deadheading flowers ensures more blooms throughout the season. Axillary, in flat-topped cymose, several-flowered. orange, with some yellowish to vermillion tinges; sepals 5; corolla small, rotate, 5-lobed to 8 mm long; corona conspicuous of 5 "hood lobes" consisting of a hood and incurved horn (hood appendage); stamens 5, fused into a column. Blooms from May to August.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Lance-shaped to narrowly egg-shaped leaves scattered singly along the stem; to 4 in. long, reclining, ascending to somewhat erect, hairy stems that branch toward the summit. Alternate and loosely spiraling, simple, narrow lanceolate to oblong, acute to obtuse, sessile to minutely-petiolate, hispidulous pubescent, 2"-6" long x 1/4"-1" wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Erosion
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Problems:
    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:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Stems