Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Butterfly
Milkweed
(Butterfly Weed)
Asclepias tuberosa
[C-value
7]
Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae)
Blooms mid-June -
August
The native Butterfly Milkweed is uncommon in our area but can be found in our prairie restoration sites. It prefers full sun, slightly moist to dry conditions, and an acidic soil. Habitats include upland prairies, hill prairies and old cemetery prairies. It is a perennial, up to 2½' tall with multiple erect to ascending stems, unbranched below and becoming branched above where the flowers occur. The alternate untoothed leaves are 2½–3½" long and ½–¾" across. Several umbels of flowers develop from the upper stems, slightly dome-shaped, 1–2½" across with 8-25 flowers with 5 petals that are bright reddish or yellowish orange. Cross-pollinated flowers are replaced by spindle-shaped seedpods, 4-6" long and ½–¾" across, pointing upward.
Butterfly Milkweed at Jay Woods Forest Preserve prairie June 24, 2013
Butterfly Milkweed foliage at Jay Woods Forest Preserve prairie June 24, 2013
Black Swallowtail on Butterfly Milkweed at Jay Woods Forest Preserve prairie June 18, 2012
Butterfly Milkweed post-blooming at Millbrook South Forest Preserve prairie July 15, 2013
Butterfly Milkweed foliage at Millbrook South Forest Preserve prairie July 15, 2013
Great Spangled Fritillary on Butterfly Milkweed at Jay Woods Forest Preserve prairie June 18, 2012
Butterfly Milkweed developing seedpods at Maramech Forest Preserve prairie July 30, 2014
The Milkweeds’ white sap of the leaves and stems is very sticky and distasteful so most insects avoid eating the plant, except for Monarch Butterfly caterpillars which have a tolerance for the acrid juice. The sap is toxic to birds so they quickly learn not to eat the Monarch caterpillars feeding on milkweed sap or even the hatched-out butterflies. So, Monarchs are smart; they only lay their eggs on milkweeds where the caterpillars will have this protection. Some beetles make their summer homes only on milkweeds which are shunned by the birds and other predators.
Native Americans used Milkweed as a food and medicine, but it can be toxic to humans if not prepared properly (per Sanders, J). The young shoots, stems, flower buds, immature fruits, and roots of butterfly milkweed were boiled and eaten as a vegetable by various indigenous groups of eastern and mid-western America. The Meskwaki tribe steamed the flower buds as a food source, which was nutritious but not considered very flavorful. The Cherokee drank an infusion of common milkweed root and Virgin's Bower (Clematis species) for backache. They also used the plant as a laxative, an antidote for dropsy, and an infusion of the root for venereal diseases. The Meskwaki and Mohaw used a decoction as a contraceptive; the Iroquois and Navajo to prevent problems after childbirth; and the Chippewa, to produce postpartum milk flow. Other uses included treatment for stomach problems, female issues, chest discomfort, and externally on warts and bee stings. Reminder: see Do Not Disturb Notice.
The pioneers used the seedpods' “cotton” as pillow stuffing, and during World War II, schoolchildren were paid 15¢ per bag of seedpods they collected and the “cotton” was used in life preservers for the U.S. Navy.
Native Americans especially liked the stems of Butterfly Milkweed for making cords, ropes, and a coarse cloth. Indian mounds in Ohio dating back to 700BC have fabrics made from the fibers of Butterfly Milkweed.Click here for more information.
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