Wild Butterfly milkweed is a perennial native prairie wildflower (a perennial native prairie forb). Asclepias tuberosa is a perennial native prairie wildflower (a perennial native prairie forb). Oak Prairie Farm offers retail perennial native prairie wildflowers (retail perennial native prairie forbs). Oak Prairie Farm offers wholesale perennial native prairie wildflowers (wholesale perennial native prairie forbs). This Prairie Guidebook page provides perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild plant propagation information. This Prairie Guidebook page provides perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild seed treatment information. This Prairie Guidebook page also provides perennial perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild seed sales information.

Butterfly milkweed	Also called: Pleurisy root, Indian posy, and orange swallow root

Botanical name:	Asclepias tuberosa

Description: numerous small orange-red flowers grow on branching stalks at the top of the plant. These perennial, open, branching plants are up to 3 feet tall, with alternating leaves. The plant does not have milky white juice like other milkweeds.

Attracts:	Butterflies and Honeybees, favors large flying pollinators.
Bloom time:	From June through August.
Range:	Northern U.S. in inland sands and dry prairies also found in open woods.
Sunshine:	Full sun to light shade.
Moisture:	Middle to dry.
Soil types:	Sandy loam best, needs to be well drained.

Suggested seed treatment: You should provide 90 days of cold moist stratification. Many prairie wildflower seeds benefit by moist cold stratification, some require it to germinate. Seed that you purchase from Oak Prairie Farm has not received cold moist stratification.

Direct planting tips: Plant seed in desired location 1/2 inches deep in soil, and firm.

Transplants: If you grow transplants from our seed: transplant while dormant in spring or fall the first year, trim long roots, plant with buds just below the soil surface, space 1 to 2 feet apart. They are difficult to transplant because of a deep large root. Water well.

Companion prairie plants: Leadplant, Ox-eye (false sunflower), Wild bergamot, Big bluestem, Indian grass.

Comments: Cut flowers will last a week or more. Very striking.

indicates photos taken by Dan Klapper.

indicates photos taken by Dr. Era Jo Moorer. All others taken by Lin Heinrich.
See the About Oak Prairie Farm link on the Home page for more information concerning photographers.