Asclepias tuberosa
Butterfly milkweed, (at CPRA)

Milkweed.
Really? We native plant enthusiasts really must work on our marketing, our branding. Milkweed? Other common names are Butterfly weed, orange milkweed, chigger weed, and European Americans knew it as pleurisy root.
Consider “Glowing Crown”, as a better description of the brightly colored, artfully arranged flower parts. Or maybe “Hoods and Horns a Plenty”? a reference to the unique flower parts of Asclepias. “Bright star flower” - could be another choice: there are 5 reflexed petals, 5 hoods and 5 horns combining to form a vivid orange star shape of each flower. Flowers are grouped in a showy rounded mass at the end of the stems.
Look closely to appreciate the detail and the beauty of Asclepias tuberosa flowers. It may become a favorite whatever you choose to call it. This species of milkweed is easily identified. Orange to yellow flowers are the most distinguishable part of the plant. The sap is not milky white, as it is in other species in the genus Asclepias. The sap from A. tuberosa is watery and rather clear. Leaves are alternately arranged on the stem. Clumps of stems form a perennial plant reaching 1 to 3 feet in height. Once established, Asclepias tuberosa is quite hardy, tolerating a wide range of conditions.

For more information

Email Amy Carter:   abcarter@uga.edu
or call 229-391-6868