Asclepias tuberosa

Asclepias tuberosa, commonly known as Butterfly Weed, Pleurisy Root, is a perennial.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Asclepias tuberosa 11.1 History 11.2 Asclepias tuberosa in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Asclepias tuberosa was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Butterfly Weed is a species in the genus Asclepias (silkweed) which contains 108 species and belongs to the family of the Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of approximately 1 meter and have a stemless habit. They grow at a slow rate and have a moderate lifespan.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Asclepias tuberosa is a decidious plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged in whorls. They are lanceolate with entire margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are five-petaled and orange. The plants bloom from June to August. The flowers are arranged in umbels.

The brown fruits are follicles and very ornamental. They develop in summer.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Asclepias tuberosa is native to the Northeast of the US, the central Northeast of the US, the northern Prairie States of the US, the Southwest of the US, the Rocky Mountains, the southern Prairie States of the US, the Southeast of the US and Florida.

[edit] Cultivation

The Butterfly Weed prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -34,4º C. It grows best in sandy or pebbly, loamy soil that is moist. The plants are highly drought tolerant. They will not grow in anaerobic soils and are moderately tolerant of limy conditions.

[edit] Uses

Asclepias tuberosa is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

Asclepias tuberosa is poisonous.

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Asclepias tuberosa

[edit] History

[edit] Asclepias tuberosa in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Asclepias tuberosa in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Asclepias tuberosafr:Asclepias tuberosa