Scientific Family
Asclepiadaceae
Synonyms
Asclepias decumbens, Asclepias floridana, Asclepias lutea
Other common names
butterflyweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1 to 2-1/2 feet
Riparian
Yes
Erect, deeply woody rooted perennial of leafy stems with large bright yellow-orange flower clusters. A host plant for gray hairstreak and monarch butterfly caterpillars. Lacks milky sap.
Perennial; stems erect; leaves irregularly alternate; leaves narrow, taper to a point at both ends; flowers in flat or rounded terminal and lateral clusters; 5 erect, orange to reddish or yellowish petals, orange to yellow horn-like appendages (hoods).
Habitat
Prefers well-drained sandy soils. Tolerates drought. Chaparral to riparian woodlands, clearings in pine forests and disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Large flat, round, 2 to 3 inches wide clusters of 3/8 inch wide flowers. The flower parts are 5 sepals, 5 petals, a crown (corona) arising from the middle of the petals, 5 upright hoods that look like petals and pointed horns.
Flower color
Orange to reddish or yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Narrow, 2 to 6 inches long leaves that are irregularly alternate, usually crowded and distinctly short-stemmed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Light green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Erect, narrow green pod, turning brown, 6 inches long, covered with fine hairs. Pods are in small clusters.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Green turning brown
Large flat brown seeds with silky hairs that parachute them away from the plant.