Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a perennial herb 3-9 dm tall with woody rootstocks. Milkweeds grow in clumps beside roadways, on abandoned farmlands, and in other open areas throughout the United States. Butterfly milkweed grows on sandy, loamy, or rocky limestone soils of prairies, open woodlands, roadsides, and disturbed areas similar to other milkweed species.
Butterfly Milkweed is easily propagated by both seed and rhizome cuttings. Both seedlings and cuttings will usually bloom in their second year, although cuttings will occasionally bloom during their first year. Seeds and plants of selected cultivars are available from many nurseries. When the roots of the butterfly milkweed were more commonly harvested for their medicinal use, the plants were dug when dormant in the late fall. Butterfly milkweed increases by underground shoots and can be invasive. It is ideal in semi-dry places where it can spread without presenting problems for other ornamental species.
Alternative Names: orange milkweed, chigger weed
BUTTERFLY MILKWEED
(Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Milkweed NRCS Plant Guide
Butterfly Milkweed NRCS Plant Guide
PDF version of NRCS Plant Guide
Prepared By: Michelle Stevens formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center
Species Coordinator: M. Kat Anderson USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center c/o Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of California, Davis, California
Who is Great Basin Seed?
Great Basin Seed is a seed company that specializes in seed sales and consultation for home, ranch, farm, range and reclamation. We have been a leader in the seed industry since 1974.
Our History
We've been in the seed business since 1974.
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We offer seed for home, farm, ranch, range and reclamation projects.
Meet the Gang
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Right: Company founder Lloyd and his wife Paula Stevens in a wildflower seed production field circa 1977
