# tropical milkweed (*Asclepias curassavica*) Tropical milkweed is a bright and colorful flower that attracts butterflies. Its lovely orange and yellow petals make it a favorite in gardens and parks. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Bloodflower ![tropical milkweed](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Asclepias_curassavica_001.JPG&width=800) Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asclepias_curassavica_001.JPG) ## Appearance The tropical milkweed has upright stems, narrow green leaves, and clusters of vibrant, two-toned flowers. Its blossoms are typically bright orange with a yellow or red center, making them stand out distinctly against the foliage and attracting attention. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Gentianales - **Family:** Apocynaceae - **Genus:** Asclepias ## Interesting facts - It is sometimes called 'Bloodflower' for its fiery colors! - Its seeds float like tiny parachutes on the breeze! - Many butterflies, not just monarchs, love its sweet nectar! - The plant's sticky sap can irritate skin if touched! ## Special abilities - **Monarch Magnet:** Tropical milkweed has leaves that monarch caterpillars eat to grow, helping them store toxins to deter predators. - **Sticky Shield:** Tropical milkweed can ooze a milky, bitter sap when damaged, which helps it defend against hungry herbivores. - **Wind Rider Seeds:** Tropical milkweed has seeds with silky tufts, allowing them to glide on the wind for wide dispersal and new growth. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Year-round in warm climates, summer-fall in temperate regions - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — larvae feed on leaves - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — adults visit flowers for nectar - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — bees collect nectar from flowers - **Eats:** [Oleander aphid](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oleander-aphid) (*Aphis nerii*) — aphids feed on plant sap ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Everblooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/everblooming): Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low While tropical milkweed is beautiful, it's best to look and not touch too much, as some parts can be milky and sticky. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify tropical milkweed? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is tropical milkweed? 50-150 cm ### How wide does tropical milkweed spread? 30-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on tropical milkweed? 1-2 cm ### When does tropical milkweed bloom? Year-round in warm climates, summer-fall in temperate regions ### Is tropical milkweed edible? No ### Is tropical milkweed toxic? Moderate ### What is tropical milkweed's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Flamingo Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/flamingo-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Ortega](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ortega) — Florida, US · Neighborhood - [South Coast Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-coast-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Old Fessenden Academy Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-fessenden-academy-historic-district) — Florida, US · Campus - [Opelousas Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/opelousas-historic-district) — Louisiana, US · Historic District - [Doctor I. Sylvester Hankins Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/doctor-i-sylvester-hankins-park) — Florida, US · Park [View all places to see tropical milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tropical-milkweed) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Tropical Milkweed: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tropical-milkweed)