Family: Apocynaceae
butterfly milkweed, butterfly-weed, orange milkweed
[Acerates floridana (Lam.) Hitchc.]
Janice Stiefel
Derek Anderson
Bell Museum
Etymology: Asclepias: named for the Greek god of healing Asklepios
Plants: weakly-erect perennial, 1'-3' tall forb; juice not milky; stems coarsely hairy, single or with many upper branches
Leaves: many, alternate (opposite on the branches), linear to lance-like, usually widest below the middle, tapering gradually to the tip
Flowers: orange to yellow, 5-parted, 3/8"-2/3" tall;
inflorescence usually several, erect umbels; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: pods with many seeds on silky hairs
Habitat: full sun; dry to moderate moisture; inland sands, prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: weakly-erect perennial, 1'-3' tall forb; juice not milky; stems coarsely hairy, single or with many upper branches
Leaves: many, alternate (opposite on the branches), linear to lance-like, usually widest below the middle, tapering gradually to the tip
Flowers: orange to yellow, 5-parted, 3/8"-2/3" tall;
inflorescence usually several, erect umbels; blooms July-Sept.Fruits: pods with many seeds on silky hairs
Habitat: full sun; dry to moderate moisture; inland sands, prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6 Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Purple Sage - Ethnobotanical Information: Detailed usage, preparation, and other helpful information Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Derek Anderson
Christopher Noll
Josh Sulman
Merel R. Black
Damon A. Smith
Merel R. Black
Matthew L. Wagner
Matthew L. Wagner
Paul E. Berry
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Derek Anderson
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Marci Hess
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron Carlson
Aaron Carlson
