A native milkweed with brilliant orange flat-topped flower clusters — a magnet for monarchs and a critical host plant for monarch caterpillars. Far drought-tolerant than common milkweed.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Asclepias tuberosa, commonly known as butterfly weed, is a species of milkweed native to eastern and southwestern North America. It is commonly known as butterfly weed because of the butterflies that are attracted to the plant by its color and its copious production of nectar.
Source: Wikipedia — Asclepias tuberosa Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Bright orange flat-topped flower clusters; narrow lance-shaped leaves.
Similar species. Other milkweeds (different colors, sizes).
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Drought-tolerant prairie wildflower. Brilliant orange flower clusters.
§ Range
Eastern and central US
§ Habitat
Dry sunny meadows, prairie remnants, road shoulders, sandy soils
§ Threats
Habitat loss, garden monocultures, herbicide drift on roadsides.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the butterfly weed is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant native butterfly weed. Don't mow roadside milkweed in summer. Skip herbicides.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Asclepias tuberosa
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Asclepias tuberosa
- iNaturalist · taxon 52068
- IUCN Red List — search for Asclepias tuberosa
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Asclepias tuberosa
§ Sources cited
- Xerces Society
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Monarch Joint Venture
