Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Asclepias tuberosa, commonly known as Butterfly Weed or Pleurisy Root, is one of the most striking milkweeds due to its vibrant, long-lasting orange flowers. Unique among milkweeds, it features alternate leaves and lacks the characteristic milky latex.

Butterfly Weed is relatively easy to cultivate in sunny, open areas. Although it develops slowly, it becomes well-established and displays excellent tolerance to hot, dry weather. The plant grows from a single central stem when young, and older plants tiller at the base, producing multiple erect to ascending stems from a large woody taproot.