Butterfly
Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
A characteristic of the milkweed family is the milky, white sap but this
one is the exception that proves the rule- its sap is colorless. The
flower though is standard for milkweeds: five petal-like parts swept back
with five erect "hoods", each with a tiny hook or curved horn.
A 5- or 10- power hand lens helps appreciate the complexity of the small
orange flowers.
Milkweeds are key to the diet of the bright orange and black Monarch
butterfly. The adults appreciate the nectar and the larva-
caterpillars ringed with black, yellow and white, stripes- munch on the
leaves. Milkweeds contain chemicals that make the Monarchs distasteful to
birds.
Other members of the family to look for at the Arboretum:
White Milkweed (A. variegataI) white flowers with a
purple center
Swamp milkweed (A. incarnata) narrow leaves,
rose-colored flowers
Blunt-leaved Milkweed (A. amplexicaulis) flowers greenish
purple, not really outstanding
Provided by:
Glenn P., Arboretum
Volunteer
Photo by: Angela B., Arboretum Staff