Butterfly Weed - Asclepias tuberosa
Also known as Butterfly Milkweed
Color of flowers: orange - red
Blooms: mid-summer
Attracts the following pollinators: monarch butterflies esp., bees
Distribution: where they occur: upland woodlands, dry fields, abandoned farmlands, roadsides,
Sunlight: full sun, not shade tolerant
Soil moisture level: semi-dry
Adapted to the following soil types: coarse textured soils, medium textured soils
- adapted to harsh, dry soil
- especially sandy soil
Drought tolerant: yes, high
Soil pH range of tolerance: 4.8 - 6.8
Where/how to plant: we recommend that you plant this species in its native habitat, or conditions that mimic its native habitat, such as semi-dry places that contain sandy, loamy, or rocky limestone soils
Management: burn in the fall to eliminate dead growth and to stimulate new growth
Notes: spreads by underground roots and can be invasive in disturbed areas; ideally planted in semi-dry locations for this reason
DANGER: milkweed may be toxic when ingested internally
References
Levine, Carol. A Guide To Wildflowers in Winter: Herbaceous Plants of Northeastern North America. Yale University Press, 1995.
“Plants Profile for Asclepias Tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed).” PLANTS Database, United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service, plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ASTU.
Levine, Carol. A Guide To Wildflowers in Winter: Herbaceous Plants of Northeastern North America. Yale University Press, 1995.
“Plants Profile for Asclepias Tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed).” PLANTS Database, United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service, plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ASTU.