Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
One of my favorite spring & summer blooming wildflowers is Butterfly weed (asclepias tuberosa). I’ve photographed it in several locations – ranging from Maryland to North Carolina to Texas. It’s looks a little different in each location – a different height, slightly different colors on the blossoms, etc – but it’s still the same wonderful plant with bright orange flowers.
Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Butterfly weed is native to most of the United States with the exception of northwestern part of the country. Like other members of the milkweed (asclepiadaceae) family, butterfly weed can be identified by it’s flowers. The bright orange to orange/yellow flowers are found in clusters at the tops of the plants.
Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Butterfly weed is a wonderful species to include in a native plant garden. It is a larval host plant for Monarch and Queen butterflies. Several species of bees including native bees are also attracted to the plants. Hummingbirds are also attracted to butterfly weed.
Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Medicinally, butterfly weed has been used medicinally by several tribes of Native Americans. It was used as a pain killer, an expectorant, a treatment for pleurisy and heart trouble, and given to women after childbirth. It was also used to treat snake, dog and coyote bites.
Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Butterfly Weed © 2013 Patty Hankins
