Asclepias tuberosa is a variety of milkweed native to North Africa. Ascelpias is a perennial plant and has many common names which can be very confusing. Here are just a few common names for Asclepias tuberosa: Butterfly Weed, Chigger Flower, Canada Root, Indian Paintbrush, Fluxroot, Indian Posy, Orange Swallow Wort, Orange Milkweed, Silky Swallow Wort, Tuber Root, White Root, Yellow Milkweed, Butterfly Love and Windroot – Phew! See what I mean!!

Asclepias require full sunlight and grow naturally in dry sandy soil.

The common name ‘Butterfly Weed’ is derived from its attraction of butterflies because of the bright orange colour and large production of nectar.

Ascelpias is used in herbalism by Native Americans for coughs and other ailments.

Asclepias tuberosa is not to be mistaken for Polianthus Tuberosa, (the highly scented cream flower). This is often the case because they both have the name ‘tuberosa’.

Asclepias is sold on the wholesale flower markets in wraps of 10 stems and is usually 60cm tall in stem length.

Apart from the bright orange asclepias, there is a variety of asclepias called Asclepias Moby Dick, (Asclepias Physocarpa), which has large green balls that are covered with hair - you can make you own mind up about this one! Asclepias Heron King Vanilla has cream flowers. All asclepias looks great when included in wedding flowers and aflower arrangements.

You can buy wholesale asclepias on our Web-Shop by clicking here.