SCIENTIFIC NAME: Asclepias tuberosa

COMMON NAME: Butterfly weed, Indian paintbrush

FAMILY: Asclepiadaceae

TYPE: perennial

LEAVES: alternate, lanceolate or oblong, up to 1" wide by 4-4 1/2" long, appearing sessile on stalk, hispid (with stiff hairs)

FLOWER: about 1/4" across, in many flowered umbels; yellow-orange to red

SEASON OF BLOOM: late spring and summer

GROWTH HABIT: 18" to 36", upright and rounded

SOIL: dry, infertile

SUN: full sun; heat and drought tolerant

HARDINESS: zone 4-9

UTILIZATION: border, wildflower or meadow garden, cut and dried flowers, butterfly garden, durable, drought tolerant

DISEASES: leaf spot and rust, not serious

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none serious

PROPAGATION: seed, transplant and division difficult because the plant has a long taproot; root or terminal cuttings

MAINTENANCE: low, but can become invasive