Milkweed, Butterfly Orange

Asclepias tuberosa, commonly called butterfly weed, is a tuberous rooted perennial which occurs in dry/rocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields and roadsides. It typically grows in a clump to 1-2.5' tall with flowers atop upright to reclining, hairy stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Unlike many of the other milkweeds, this species does not have milky-sapped stems. Flowers give way to prominent, spindle-shaped seed pods (3-6" long) which split open when ripe releasing numerous silky-tailed seeds for dispersal by the wind. Seed pods are valued in dried flower arrangements. Long bloom period from late spring throughout the summer. Flowers are a nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies and many other pollinators, and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars).