Identification
This native perennial has stems up to 3 feet tall with mostly alternate leaves 2-4 inches long and less than 1 inch wide (A). The stem contains a watery sap rather than the milky juice typical of milkweeds. Like other milkweeds, individual flowers have 5 sharply swept-back petals and 5 erect hoods, each with a small curved horn arching over a central column holding the reproductive structures (B,C). Several groups of 10-25 orange to orange-red flowers combine to form a showy flat-topped cluster (A,D). Established plants have multiple clusters combining to form one of our showiest prairie displays. Flowers are replaced by erect narrow pods containing many flat seeds with attached white hairs facilitating their dispersal by the wind.
Grows in dry to moist but well-drained prairies, flowering from June through August. This flower is uncommon in the Knull Prairie restoration at Neale Woods. None have been seen to date in prairie restorations at Fontenelle Forest.
The genus name Asclepias, derived from the name of the Greek god of healing and medicine, attests to the perceived historical importance of the healing properties of milkweeds. Preparations from the root of Butterfly Weed were used by Native Americans and settlers for a variety of ailments including respiratory conditions, as the other common name “Pleurisy Root” suggests.
Once given full family status, the Milkweeds (Asclepiadaceae) are now listed as a subfamily of the Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae).
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