Butterfly weed, Pleurisy root
Asclepias tuberosa

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 60-90 cm high. It spreads 30 cm wide. It has a large tuberous root. It is a milkweed which does not have milky juice. It has a woody base and keeps growing from year to year. The stems are erect and hairy. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped. They are 10-14 cm long. They are on crowded stems. The flowers are orange coloured. They occur in heads. The fruit are pointed weed heads 15 cm long.

There are 100 Asclepias species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in sandy areas but is best in rich peaty soils. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, France, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, North America, USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION: It contains a glucoside asclepiadin. It is poisonous. Tender shoots, roots and young seed pods are cooked as vegetables. Flowers are used as a sweetener. The flower nectar crystallizes and can be eaten.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, tuber, seeds pod, vegetable, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Canada root, Chieger flower, Chigger flower, Fluxroot, Indian paintbrush, Indian posy, Orange milkweed, Orange root, Tuberroot

Synonyms

Acerates decumbens Decne.; Acerates decumbens var. erecta Durand; Asclepias decumbens L.; Asclepias elliptica Raf.; Asclepias lutea Raf. [Illegitimate]; Asclepias revoluta Raf.; Asclepias rolfsii Britton ex Vail; Asclepias tuberosa f. bicolor Standl.; Asclepias tuberosa var. cordata Beck; Asclepias tuberosa var. decumbens (L.) Pursh; Asclepias tuberosa f. decumbens (L.) Voss; Asclepias tuberosa f. flavescens Farw.; Asclepias tuberosa var. flexuosa J. James; Asclepias tuberosa f. lutea Clute; Asclepias tuberosa var. rolfsii (Britton ex Vail) Shinners; Asclepias tuberosa f. tuberosa; Asclepias tuberosa subsp. tuberosa; Asclepias tuberosa var. tuberosa;