Asclepias tuberosa

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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The extremely bright color make it easy to spot. Like most milkweeds the juice is milky white. Long bloom period from late spring throughout the summer. Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). Drought-tolerant. Listed in the U. S. Pharmacopeia in the 19th century the root was once widely used for lung problems such as asthma and bronchitis. Contains cardiac glycosides which are toxic in large amounts.

Similar plants:

• Asclepias curassavica (Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Tropical Milkweed)
• Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed, Rose Milkweed, Swamp Silkweed)
• Asclepias oenotheroides (Zizotes Milkweed, Longhorn Milkweed, Side-cluster Milkweed, Primrose Milkweed, Lindheimer's Milkweed)
• Asclepias perennis (Aquatic Milkweed, White Swamp Milkweed)
• Asclepias sp. (Milkweed)
• Gomphocarpus physocarpus, Asclepias physocarpa (Baloonplant, Cotton Bush, Swan Plant, Balloon Plant, Family Jewels Milkweed Tree)