Species Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Orange Milkweed, Pleurisy Root, Chigger Flower)

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Names

Scientific name: Asclepias tuberosa
Common name: Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Orange Milkweed, Pleurisy Root, Chigger Flower

Measurements

Height: 12 - 36 in
Spread: 12 - 24 in
Spacing: 18 in
Growth Rate: Moderate

Requirements

Hardiness zones: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil Drainage: Well Drained
Soil type: Loam, Sand, Clay, Chalk
Soil pH: Moderately acidic (5.6 - 6.0), Slightly acidic (6.1 - 6.5), Neutral (6.6 - 7.3)

Physical Traits

Lifecycle: Perennial
Leaf lifecycle: Deciduous
Foliage color: Medium Green
Fall foliage: BrownGreen
Bloom time: Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Bloom color: Yellow-Orange, Bright Orange, Gold/Yellow, Orange
Seasons of interest: Summer
Propagation methods: Seeds, Cuttings
Attracts: Butterflies, Bees, Hummingbirds

Toxicity

Toxic to humans: Yes
Toxic to dogs: Yes
Toxic to cats: Yes

Taxonomy

Taxonomic Rank: Species
Author: L.
Publication: Sp. Pl. : 217 (1753)

References

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed) | Native Plants of North America, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=astu, accessed November 10, 2024

Asclepias tuberosa - Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b490, accessed November 10, 2024

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Chieger Flower, Chiggerflower, Common Butterfly-weed, Indian Paintbrush, Milkweed, Pleurisy Root) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/asclepias-tuberosa/, accessed November 10, 2024

Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa – Wisconsin Horticulture, Wisconsin Horticulture, https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/butterflyweed-asclepias-tuberosa/, accessed November 10, 2024

Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed): Go Botany, Native Plant Trust, https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/asclepias/tuberosa/, accessed November 10, 2024

Butterfly Milkweed, U.S. Forest Service, https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/asclepias_tuberosa.shtml, accessed November 10, 2024

World Flora Online, http://www.worldfloraonline.org/, accessed June 20, 2024

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Orange Milkweed, Pleurisy Root, Chigger Flower