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Butterflyweed, Butterfly milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Apocynaceae
 

Copyright by: Roger L. Hammer

General Landscape Uses: Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also wildflower and butterfly gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes: An occasional but widespread understory herb in pinelands.

Availability: Occasionally grown by native plant nurseries. Available at Indian Trails Native Nursery in Lake Worth (561-641-9488) and in Groveland at Green Isle Gardens (321-436-4932).

Description: Small, somewhat sprawling wildflower.

Dimensions: Typically 1-2 feet in height. Usually taller than broad, but sometimes falling over and forming small patches.

Growth Rate: Moderate.

Range: Widespread in North America south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties; northeastern Mexico. Not documented on barrier islands in South Florida, but possibly historically present; it is cultivated at Pan’s Garden in Palm Beach.

Plant Map Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.

 Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.

 Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.

Habitats: Pinelands.

Soils: Moist, well-drained calcareous or sandy soils, without humus.

Nutritional Requirements: Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.

Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.

Salt Wind Tolerance: Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.

Drought Tolerance: High; does not require any supplemental water once established.

Light Requirements: Full sun.

Flower Color: Red, orange or yellow.

Flower Characteristics: Showy.

Flowering Season: All year.

Fruit: Slender pod (follicle) with wind dispersed seeds.

Wildlife and Ecology: Larval host plant for monarch (Danaus plexippus) and rarely queen (Danaus gilippus) butterflies; possible larval host of soldier (Danaus eresimus) butterflies. Nectar plant for monarch (Danaus plexippus) and other butterflies. Attracts bees and other insects pollinators.

Horticultural Notes: Grown from seed, which may require chilling for a few weeks if fresh. Young plants are somewhat sensitive and should not be disturbed until established.

References: Miami-Dade County Landscape Manual (2005).

Comments: See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page and Monarchs & Milkweed flyer.


Copyright by: Roger L. Hammer

Copyright by: Susan Trammell

Copyright by: Keith A. Bradley

Copyright by: Shirley Denton

Copyright by: Shirley Denton

Copyright by: Shirley Denton


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