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butterfly milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly milkweed is a bright orange flower that attracts butterflies and other pollinators. It grows in sunny places and has long, narrow leaves that look like little swords.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The butterfly milkweed has clusters of vibrant orange to yellow-orange flowers that form flat-topped domes. Unlike many other milkweeds, its stems and leaves do not produce milky sap. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves are usually bright green.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyApocynaceaeGenusAsclepias
butterfly milkweed
flowering trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgecolorful trait badgeedible trait badge
butterfly milkweed

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Its fluffy seeds are carried by the wind like tiny parachutes, traveling far distances!

Native Americans used its roots for medicine, even to treat various illnesses!

The flowers have tiny 'traps' to help insects carry pollen packets away!

Unlike other milkweeds, this one doesn't produce milky white sap!

Special abilities

Ability

Monarch Feast

Butterfly milkweed can feed monarch caterpillars, which are immune to its mild toxins, helping them grow into butterflies.

Ability

Nectar Beacon

This plant has bright, clustered flowers that act as a visual target, attracting many different pollinators.

Ability

Wind Rider Seeds

Butterfly milkweed produces seeds with silky parachutes that catch the wind, allowing them to spread far and wide.

Measurements & details

Height
30-90 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
0.5-0.7 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Larval host; caterpillars feed on leaves.

pollinates

European honeybee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.

pollinates

Common eastern bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

Large bees are effective pollinators.

depends on

Oleander aphid

Aphis nerii

Aphids feed on the plant's sap.

Traits

Also known as

Orange milkweed

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild plants, as some can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is butterfly milkweed?

30-90 cm

How wide does butterfly milkweed spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on butterfly milkweed?

0.5-0.7 cm

When does butterfly milkweed bloom?

Summer

Is butterfly milkweed edible?

No

Is butterfly milkweed toxic?

Moderate

What is butterfly milkweed's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is butterfly milkweed pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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