Butterfly milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa (as-KLEE-pee-as too-ber-OH-sah)
Butterfly weed is a tuberous-rooted, native, herbaceous perennial in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It is found in dry, rocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields, and roadsides across a wide area of eastern and southern North America, including Mexico. The genus name, Asclepias , honors the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios. The species epithet, tuberosa , is Latin and refers to the tuberous roots. 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 it will take two to three years to establish and produce flowers. Mature plants may freely self-seed in the landscape if seed pods (follicles) are not removed before they split open. Butterfly weed does not transplant well due to its deep taproot and is probably best left undisturbed once established. The plant is upright, typically growing in clumps 1 to 3 feet tall. Unlike many of the other milkweeds, this species has clear sap. This plant was also selected as the 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year® by the Perennial Plant Association. It was selected as the 1985 NC Wildflower of the Year . Butterfly weed is a food source for larvae of the Monarch ( Danaus plexippus ) butterfly, as well as the Milkweed Tussock Moth ( Euchaetes egle ). Be sure to wear gloves when handling butterfly weed, as the clear sap may cause contact dermatitis. Butterfly weed is a great choice for a meadow garden, native garden or pollinator, 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 create a butterfly habitat. In a perennial border, pair it with torch lilies (Kniphofia) or with cooler blues and purples, such as speedwell (Veronica) . Quick ID Hints: Erect, perennial herb has spiraling, narrow leaves Clear, not milky, sap Axillary cymes of orange flowers are flat-topped Flowers have a corona of hoods and horns 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.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ Reconciled to full toolbox: matched by slug to slug 'asclepias-tuberosa'. Identity (id/common/scientific name) preserved from the original 87-plant Hunnicutt set; attribute data refreshed from the 70-attribute toolbox scrape.