Orange milkweed

Orange Milkweed (also known as Asclepias tuberosa) is a species of milkweed native to North America. It is commonly known as butterfly weed due to its attractiveness to butterflies.

Description

Orange Milkweed is a perennial plant that typically grows to about 1-2 feet in height. It has clustered orange or yellow flowers from early summer to early fall. The plant has a deep root system, which makes it drought-tolerant and able to thrive in a variety of soil types.

Distribution and Habitat

Orange Milkweed is found throughout the United States and Canada, particularly in the Midwest and Southeast. It prefers full sun and can be found in a variety of habitats, including prairies, fields, and open woods.

Ecology

Orange Milkweed is a key food source for the Monarch butterfly. The plant's milky sap contains cardenolides, which are toxic to most animals but not to Monarchs. The butterflies lay their eggs on the plant, and the caterpillars feed on the leaves, ingesting the toxins and becoming poisonous to predators.

Cultivation

Orange Milkweed is popular in butterfly gardening due to its attractiveness to butterflies and its vibrant orange flowers. It is also used in native plant landscaping and restoration ecology projects.

Medicinal Uses

Historically, Native Americans used Orange Milkweed for a variety of medicinal purposes. The root was used as a diuretic, and the plant was used to treat pleurisy and other lung ailments.

Conservation

While Orange Milkweed is not currently listed as threatened or endangered, its habitat is being lost to urban development and agriculture. Conservation efforts include planting Orange Milkweed in butterfly gardens and other habitats to support Monarch populations.