Butterflyweed
Asclepias tuberosa

Butterflyweed, also known as butterfly flower or butterfly milkweed, is a native perennial plant with clusters of tiny, five-petaled orange flowers. It blooms in late spring and early summer.

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Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), also known as butterflyweed, has tiny orange flowers with five petals that bloom in early summer. Above, butterfly milkweed blooms at a home garden in Annapolis, Md., on July 24, 2016. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program) USAGE REQUEST INFORMATION The Chesapeake Bay Program's photographic archive is available for media and non-commercial use at no charge. To request permission, send an email briefly describing the proposed use to requests@chesapeakebay.net. Please do not attach jpegs. Instead, reference the corresponding Flickr URL of the image. A photo credit mentioning the Chesapeake Bay Program is mandatory. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in any way that suggests approval or endorsement of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Requestors should also respect the publicity rights of individuals photographed, and seek their consent if necessary.

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Appearance

Butterflyweed has clusters of tiny, five-petaled orange, reddish-orange or yellowish-orange flowers, which bloom in May to July. It grows 1 to 3 feet tall.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Seed pods develop in late summer. Seeds have fluffy white hairs, which help them scatter in the wind. New seedlings grow in spring.

Did You Know?

  • Butterflyweed is also known as butterfly flower and butterfly milkweed. It provides habitat for butterfly eggs and larvae.
  • Its bright coloring and copious nectar production attracts bees, hummingbirds and butterflies.
  • Native Americans used butterflyweed for fiber to make rope and cloth, as well as for medicinal purposes.

Sources and Additional Information

Tags:
Plants & Trees Herbaceous Forests & Uplands