Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed)

Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) orange flower close up on a slender stem with green leaves
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) orange flower with fuzzy stems and green leaves in a close up

Botanical name: Asclepias tuberosa

Common names: Milkweed, Flame Weed, Butterfly Weed, Gay Butterflies, Pleurisy Root

Family: Apocynaceae    (Formerly:Asclepiadaceae)

Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae

Origin: North America

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 3-9

Small plant 2-5 ftPlant form: Small
Plant mature sizeMature height: 2-5 ft
Full sunSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Water Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Dry conditions
Red, crimson, vinous flowersYellow, orange flowersFlower color: Red, crimson, vinous; yellow, orange
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Toxic or PoisonousIrritating plantIrritating or toxic: Toxic plant/plant part; irritating
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

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 tuberosa (Milkweed)


Image gallery: 8 images
Asclepias tuberosa orange flower close up with narrow green leaves for garden
Asclepias tuberosa orange flower clusters emerge among slender green pointed foliage stems.
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) with beige pods and small orange flowers on a green plant
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) showing elongated beige seed pods above dense green foliage with orange flowers
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) orange flower clusters near light green seed pods close up
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) orange flower clusters sitting beside long light green fuzzy seed pods
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) with small yellow flower clusters on leafy stalks for plant identification
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) with clusters of yellow flowers atop thin green stems and narrow foliage.
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) yellow flowers in a close up, set against green narrow plant leaves.
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) yellow flowers and rounded buds attached to long green narrow plant stems.
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) orange flower clusters in a close up of the plant.
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) clusters of orange flowers and small buds on green stems.
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) yellow seed pods on green plant close up.
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) with numerous yellow seed pods emerging from dark green narrow leaves.
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) with orange flowers and long green leaves on the plant
Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed) displaying orange flowers above long narrow green leaves on the stem


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/asclepias_tuberosa.htm
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