Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed is the common name for Asclepias tuberosa, a herbaceous perennial wildflower in the milkweed family.
Butterfly weed is the common name for Asclepias tuberosa, a herbaceous perennial wildflower in the milkweed family. It is native to much of North America, including parts of eastern Canada, and is known for its bright orange flowers, drought tolerance, and value to pollinators, especially monarch butterflies. The species is included in Canadian horticulture and native-plant references as a prairie and pollinator species.
Description
Butterfly weed is a clump-forming perennial wildflower with narrow leaves and clusters of showy flowers, usually orange but sometimes yellow or red-orange. It has a thick, tuberous taproot and upright stems, reaching 1.5 to 2.5 feet in height. The plant blooms in summer.
Native range and habitat
The species is native to much of North America, including eastern and southwestern regions, with records extending into Canada and Mexico. It typically grows in dry, open habitats such as prairies, meadows, roadsides, and rocky or sandy sites. It is also found in open woods and dry fields.
Ecology
Butterfly weed is valued for nectar production and attracts many butterflies and other pollinators. It also serves as a larval host plant for monarch butterflies, though some sources note it is less preferred than other milkweeds for caterpillars. The plant is an important nectar source for pollinators.
Cultivation
In gardens, butterfly weed is grown as a native ornamental for sunny, well-drained sites. It is generally considered drought tolerant once established due to its deep root system, and is used in prairie and pollinator plantings. It grows best in full sun and in well-drained soils.
Key facts
- Butterfly weed is Asclepias tuberosa, a species of milkweed native to North America.
- It is a long-lived perennial with a tuberous taproot and upright stems.
- The plant produces bright orange flower clusters and blooms in summer.
- It grows best in full sun and in well-drained soils.
- Butterfly weed is an important nectar source for pollinators and a host plant for monarch butterflies.
Butterfly weed is native to parts of eastern Canada and is included in Canadian horticulture and native-plant references as a prairie and pollinator species.
Frequently asked questions
What is butterfly weed?
Where does butterfly weed grow naturally?
What colour are butterfly weed flowers?
Is butterfly weed good for monarch butterflies?
Does butterfly weed need a lot of water?
References
- University of Wisconsin Extension — https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/butterflyweed-asclepias-tuberosa/Supports: Native range, family, habitat, hardiness, and common names.
- NC State University Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/asclepias-tuberosa/Supports: Plant type, family, native range, and habitat.
- USDA Forest Service — https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/asclepias_tuberosa.shtmlSupports: Scientific name, family, root form, habitat, and general distribution.
- Chicago Botanic Garden — https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/plant_profiles/butterfly_weedSupports: Common names, habitat, and monarch host-plant role.
- Clemson University — https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/demo/plant_profiles/asclepias-tuberosa-butterfly-weed.htmlSupports: Origin and flower colour variation.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=astuSupports: Plant size and flower description.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/butterflyweed/Supports: Growth habit, flowering period, reproduction, taproot, habitat, and ecological notes.