Plant Detail: Asclepias tuberosa

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Plant Detail

Asclepias tuberosa

* Common Name:	butterflyweed, orange milkweed, chigger plant
* Genus:	*Asclepias*
* Species:	*tuberosa*
Subspecies:
* Family (scientific):	Asclepiadaceae
* Family (common):	Milkweed
Synonyms :
* Distribution in Canada:	Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia P.E.I. Newfoundland

Photographer: J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.

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Habitat

Ecozone(s):

Boreal Shield
Atlantic Maritime
Mixedwood Plains

Natural Habitat(s):

Savannah (25-35% cover)
Forest Edge
Prairie/Meadow/Field

Habitat Garden(s):

Butterfly
Bird
Prairie/Meadow

Erosion Control?

Characteristics		Growing Conditions
* Plant Type:	Wildflower	Moisture Requirements: Dry, Normal Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Soil Requirements: Sand, Loam Temperature Zone: 3
Evergreen?	No
Average Height:	30 to 75 cm
Tolerances:	Drought Tolerant

Flower Info		Fruit/Seed Info
Showy flowers?	Yes	Showy fruit/seeds?	Yes
Bloom time:	Jun to Sep	Edible for humans?
Flower Colour(s):	Yellow, Orange	Fruit/Seed Colour(s):	Brown

Miscellaneous		Uses
Fragrant Flowers?		Urban Oasis, Stewards in the City, and Eco Superior are specific Evergreen programs that some plants are used in.
Fragrant Foliage?		Program & Other Uses:	Urban Oasis Medicinal Aboriginal
Fall colours?	No
Distinctive bark?
Poisonous to humans?	Yes
Thorns or prickles?
Attracts wildlife?	Birds Hummingbirds Butterflies Butterfly Larvae Bees
Larval host for:	Monarch butterfly	Provincial tree/flower?
Plant Watch species?	No

POISONOUS PARTS: Roots, plant sap from all parts. Not edible. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include vomiting, stupor, weakness, spasms. Toxic Principle: Resinoid, cardiac glycoside. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)

Needs to be transplanted carefully and requires good drainage. (Ontario Native Plants 2002)

This showy plant is frequently grown from seed in home gardens. Because its tough root was chewed by First Nations People as a cure for pleurisy and other pulmonary ailments, butterfly weed was given its other common name, pleurisy root. (Niering)

This plant is a very good source of nectar for Monarch butterflies.

This species is deer resistant. (Evergreen)

The plant does not like to be moved as it has a long taproot. However, the root stalk can be divided in early spring or fall, or start them from seed.

This species, unlike the others has clear sap rather than milky. It can also grow on rocky limestone. (Wild Flower Centre)

Poisonous Plants of N.C. State

Monarch Teachers Network-Canad

David Suzuki Foundation

Wild Flower Centre

Ontario Native Plants: 2002 Resource Guide
Ontario Native Plants Company
2002

National Audubon Society: Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region
National Audubon Society
Alfred A. Knopf, New York
1979
ISBN: 0-394-50432-1

The Native Plant Database is created by volunteers who do their best to add accurate information to the database. While most entries are accurate, errors may occur. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and we are not responsible for any errors in the information or for any adverse effects relating to the use of the plants or the information. You should seek medical advice or consult appropriate experts prior to relying on the information in the database. If you notice a problem with the database please let us know by sending an email to nativeplant@evergreen.ca so we can correct it.