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Tennessee Native Plant Society
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Native Plant of the Month
June, 2011
Butterflyweed
Asclepias tuberosa
There are 13 species of milkweeds in Tennessee and
Butterflyweed is one of the most commonly encountered.
The brightly colored flowers can range from orange-yellow to
orange-red. The plants are around 2 feet tall and branch
toward the tops, where umbels of many flowers emerge from
the leaf axils. This is an extremely important nectar plant for
butterflies and is associated with several species, but in
particular, the Monarch, who uses the plant as its caterpillar
host. These stunning plants inhabit a wide range of habitats,
but tend to grow in drier areas of fields throughout the state.
The flowers bloom in June and if cut back after flowering, will
often produce another bloom in late summer or fall.
Asclepias tuberosa
There are 13 species of milkweeds in Tennessee and
Butterflyweed is one of the most commonly encountered.
The brightly colored flowers can range from orange-yellow to
orange-red. The plants are around 2 feet tall and branch
toward the tops, where umbels of many flowers emerge from
the leaf axils. This is an extremely important nectar plant for
butterflies and is associated with several species, but in
particular, the Monarch, who uses the plant as its caterpillar
host. These stunning plants inhabit a wide range of habitats,
but tend to grow in drier areas of fields throughout the state.
The flowers bloom in June and if cut back after flowering, will
often produce another bloom in late summer or fall.
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