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Geum Prairie Smoke OR.

Geum Prairie Smoke OR.

Geum Prairie Smoke

Butterfly weed is a tuberous-rooted, native, herbaceous perennial in the Apocynaceae, or dogbane, family. Its Latin genus name, Asclepias, honors the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios. The species name, tuberosa, refers to the root. The plant is upright, typically growing in clumps 1 to 3 feet tall, and is found in dry, rocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields, and roadsides. Unlike many of the other milkweeds, this species does not have milky-sapped stems.

Prairie

Butterflyweed is a long-lived herbaceous perennial in the milkweed family (Apocynaceae, formerly Asclepidaceae) native to much of North America except the northwest, from eastern Canada south to Florida, west to the Dakotas down to Colorado and the southwest, except Nevada, into California, but is most widespread in the eastern half of the U.S. With other common names including butterfly milkweed, orange milkweed, pleurisy root and chigger flower, Sitting atop upright flowering stems, clad with stiff, lance-shaped leaves, the colorful umbels, 2-5 inches across (5-12 cm), are followed by attractive seed pods in fall. The abundant foliage provides a dark-green backdrop which nicely compliments the cheerful flat umbel flowers. Native to much of the United States and southern Canada, this perennial wildflower has no milky sap, unlike many of the other milkweeds.

This is a great Milkweed for a sunny location in a dry area. Mature plants in ideal locations can make as many as 20 stems at an average height of 2’. The vivid orange color, low mounded profile, and ability to attract and sustain butterflies make this plant a well-known favorite for all types of gardens. Like all species in the Asclepias genus, Asclepias tuberosa is one of the larval host plants for the monarch butterfly.Butterfly-weed is often found along railroad beds growing in clumps, in dry fields and prairies and along roadsides. A host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, the flower is a favorite for many other butterflies as well. It makes a fantastic garden plant with a long bloom season and an eye-popping color you don't see in many species. All Asclepias were formerly in family Asclepiadaceae but have been reassigned to Apocynaceae (Dogbane). (Source: www.minnesotawildflowers.info)

 

 

 

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