Asclepias tuberosa
(a.k.a.: Orange Milkweed; Pleurisy Root)
This bright member of the Milkweed family sports domed clusters of tiny orange flowers with downward bent corolla lobes attached to a circle of 5 upright hoods. Each flower is ½ inch (1.3 cm) wide and can vary in color (usually ranging from orange-red to red-orange and even yellow in rare instances). Unlike other milkweeds, this variety lacks the white latex in the stem and has alternate leaves. The hairy stem bears leaves that are narrow or lance-shaped, 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12.7 cm) long. Plants reach heights of 12 to 30 inches (30 to 76 cm) and are found on dry sunny banks and in dry fields. Flowers bloom in July and August.
