Asclepiadaceae

(Milkweed family)

Herbs with milky, acrid juice, entire opposite leaves, compound flower heads, five stamens adherent to pistil, with corona. Seven genera, 35 + species. Common genera: Asclepias, Ampelamus.

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Milkweed

Perennial. Stems usually one to four, clustered from rootstock, one to two feet long. Stems without noticeably milky sap. Leaves broadly oval, rough-hairy, clasping stem. Flowers in clusters or racemes, variable color from light yellow to orange to red. Seed pod a follicle, egg-shaped seed with silky white hairs. Found on dry, open soils.