Common names

Butterfly Weed, Orange Milkweed, Pleurisy Root

Plant Family

Apocynaceae

North American Native

Yes, native to much of eastern and central North America.

Description/Taxonomy

Butterfly Weed was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus under the genus Asclepias. Its species name "tuberosa" refers to its large, tuberous roots. Unlike many other milkweeds, its stems contain little to no milky sap.

History

Valued by Native American peoples for both medicinal and ceremonial purposes, Butterfly Weed has also long been recognized as a striking ornamental for gardens due to its vivid orange blooms. It is an important host plant for Monarch butterflies and a nectar source for a variety of pollinators.

Parts Used

Roots (historically medicinal), flowers for ornamental and pollinator support.

Hickok Farms Products

Dried Roots, Pollinator Support Mix

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Products

Buy Seed, Buy Live Plants

Cultivation

Butterfly Weed is a hardy perennial grown easily from seed, though germination benefits from cold stratification. It develops a deep taproot and does not transplant well once established.

Advantages

Attracts Monarchs, bees, and other pollinators; Drought-tolerant; Deer-resistant; Long-lived perennial

Culinary

Not commonly used for culinary purposes.

Constituents

Contains toxic glycosides, alkaloids, and resinoids.

Herbal and Medicinal Uses

Historically used by Indigenous peoples and early settlers to treat respiratory ailments and diarrhea. However, due to toxicity concerns with milkweed species, modern medicinal use is rare. Soaking and leaching are required to remove toxic constituents.