Asclepias tuberosa
(Butterfly Weed)
Family - Apocynaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - USA
Year of Introduction - 1690
Season of Interest - Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H5
Height - up to 90cm
Width - 50cm
Location - The Hot Garden
Description: A tuberous Perennial with a bushy, upright habit. Glossy mid-green leaves are lanceolate in shape and can be held in opposite pairs or Alternately arranged on the stems. Many star-shaped flowers are a vivid shade of orange and have yellow centres. The flowers are held in umbel-like Cymes atop upright stems and are produced from midsummer into autumn. Flowers are followed by long, green, spindle-shaped seed pods that eventually split to release white, silky tailed seeds.
Flower:
Many star-shaped flowers are a rich shade of orange and have yellow centres. The flowers are held in cymes atop upright stems and are produced from July into September. The flowers are followed by long, green seed pods containing white, silky tailed seed.
Flower colour: Orange
Flower shape: Star-shaped flowers held in cymes
Flowering time: July, August, September
Foliage:
Smooth mid-green leaves are lanceolate in shape. The leaves can be both held in opposite pairs or Alternately arranged on the upright stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Lanceolate
Poison Information:
This plant may cause discomfort if ingested.
Propagation:
Seed, division.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.