Asclepias tuberosa
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: BUTFERFLY WEED, CHIEGER FLOWER, INDIAN PAINTBRUSH, MILKWEED, PLEURISY ROOT, SILKWEED, TUBER ROOT
Native to: Eastern United States, Southern United States
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect
Max height: 3.3 feet
Max width: 2 feet
Flower
orange
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bee, hummingbird, specific butterfly species
Plant part consumed by birds: nectar
Exposure: sun
Propagates by: division, seed
flowers in fall
flowers in summer
Soil type: well drained
USDA Zones: zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -40 to +30 °F
Water: moderate
Butterflies that feed on this plant
Asclepias is an Apocynaceae known as MILKWEED or SILKWEED. There are 225 species of MILKWEED. Four perennials are cultivated that grow in Zones 3-10. Asclepias tuberosa grows to 3 1/2 feet high and prefers moderate watering in dry months.
Asclepias currassavica Silky Gold grows to 2 1/2 feet high. Asclepias currassavica Silky Gold Red grows to 3 1/2 feet high, incarnata grows to over 6 feet high, speciosa and tuberosa to 3 1/2 ft high. They prefer moderate irrigation during dry months. A. incarnata needs regular water.
Asclepias tuberosa attracts Callophrys gryneus Juniper Hairstreak
Butterflies attracted to this genus include:
Atalopedes campestris, Sachem
Callophrys gryneus, Juniper Hairstreak
Colias eurytheme, Orange Sulphur
Danaus gilippus, Queen
Danaus plexippus, Monarch
Epargyreus clarus, Silver-spotted Skipper
Euphyes vestris, Dun Skipper
Hylephila phyleus, Fiery Skipper
Lycaena phlaeas, American Copper
Papilio cresphontes, Giant Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes, Black Swallowtail
Papilio troilus Spicebush Swallowtail
Pholisora catullus, Common Sootywing
Phyciodes tharos, Pearl Crescent
Polites carus, Carus Skipper
Polygonia interrogationis Question Mark
Satyrium auretorum, Gold-hunter's Hairstreak
Satyrium calanus, Banded Hairstreak
Satyrium californica, California Hairstreak
Satyrium sylvinus, Sylvan Hairstreak
Satyrium titus, Coral Hairstreak
Speyeria cybele, Great Spangled Fritillary
Strymon melinus, Gray Hairstreak
Thorybes pylades, Northern Cloudywing
Vanessa atalanta, Red Admiral
Vanessa cardui, Painted Lady
Vanessa virginiensis, American Lady
Zerene eurydice, California Dogface
