Asclepias tuberosa 8/2021 Butterfly Weed-
Asclepias tuberosa 8/2021 Butterfly Weed- (Butterfly Weed) Butterfly Weed, Mature size: 24x24in, orange, USDA Hardiness Zone 3, Michigan Bloom Week ISO WW26, In Garden Bed V3,04,4 for 3.8 YEARS (Lowes). Planted in 2017.
Missouri Botanical Garden: Asclepias tuberosa, commonly called butterfly weed, is a tuberous rooted, Missouri native perennial which occurs in dry/rocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields and roadsides throughout the State (Steyermark). It typically grows in a clump to 1-3' tall and features clusters (umbels) of bright orange to yellow-orange 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 many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). Also commonly called pleurisy root in reference to a prior medicinal use of the plant roots to treat lung inflammations. Genus name honors the Greek god Asklepios the god of medicine. Specific epithet means tuberous in reference to the roots.
2020 Note: Caterpillars stripped this plant of leaves in 2019. I have been watching for caterpillars this year. It's an attractive plant, so I thought I would get a few photos before it's demise. I have many different kinds of wildflowers planted in the surrounding acreage to provide habitat for Monarch Butterflies (and Pheasant). In the field, I have some milkweed, another Asclepias perennial.
2021: a good number of Monarch catapillars on the plant. Also, I noted several butterfly weed in the CRP field.
Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Additional photos of this plant from 2017, 18, 19, 20, 21:
Asclepias tuberosa 8/2021 Butterfly Weed-
Asclepias tuberosa 8/2021 Butterfly Weed- (Butterfly Weed) Butterfly Weed, Mature size: 24x24in, orange, USDA Hardiness Zone 3, Michigan Bloom Week ISO WW26, In Garden Bed V3,04,4 for 3.8 YEARS (Lowes). Planted in 2017.
Missouri Botanical Garden: Asclepias tuberosa, commonly called butterfly weed, is a tuberous rooted, Missouri native perennial which occurs in dry/rocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields and roadsides throughout the State (Steyermark). It typically grows in a clump to 1-3' tall and features clusters (umbels) of bright orange to yellow-orange 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 many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). Also commonly called pleurisy root in reference to a prior medicinal use of the plant roots to treat lung inflammations. Genus name honors the Greek god Asklepios the god of medicine. Specific epithet means tuberous in reference to the roots.
2020 Note: Caterpillars stripped this plant of leaves in 2019. I have been watching for caterpillars this year. It's an attractive plant, so I thought I would get a few photos before it's demise. I have many different kinds of wildflowers planted in the surrounding acreage to provide habitat for Monarch Butterflies (and Pheasant). In the field, I have some milkweed, another Asclepias perennial.
2021: a good number of Monarch catapillars on the plant. Also, I noted several butterfly weed in the CRP field.
Photo by F.D.Richards, SE Michigan. Additional photos of this plant from 2017, 18, 19, 20, 21: