Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Butterfly Milkweed

Photographed 26 June 2011 north of Humeston in Wayne County Cinder Path prairie remnant.

Asclepias tuberosa. Brilliant orange-flowering perennial native to Lucas County's well-drained upland prairies; grows 1 to 2 1/2 feet tall in full sun. Young plants develop from single stems; older plants from base stalks that send up multiple stems from large taproot. Foliage lacks milky latex common to other milkweed family members. Flowers attract bees, butterflies (especially Fritillaries, Swallowtails and Monarchs) and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

Prefers mesic to dry conditions, sandy and rocky soil, but adaptable to other well-drained situations.

With four Pearly Crescent butterflies aboard; photographed 17 July 2014, Cinder Path prairie remnant east of Derby.

Photographed 26 June 2011 north of Humeston in Wayne County Cinder Path prairie remnant.

Photographed 27 June 2011 north of Humeston in Wayne County Cinder Path prairie remnant.

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