Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)

   

Flowers and foliage of Tropical Milkweed. Demonstration garden at The Nature and Gardener, Austin, Texas. Photograph by Wynn Anderson.

• Common English Names: Tropical Milkweed, Blood Flower
• Common Spanish Names:
• Scientific Name: Asclepias curassavica (az-KLEP-ee-us coo-rah-SAV-ih-cuh)
• Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
• Geographic Range: Throughout tropical and subtropical Americas. Adventive in the U.S.
• Plant Form: Herbaceous short-lived perennial, 3' H x 2' W.
• Remarks: Tender sub-shrubby plant with multiple lanceolate leaves and showy clusters of bi-colored crimson red and orange-yellow flowers in the upper branches. Attracts butterflies. High water, full to part shade, variety of moist soils, frost tender.

Last Update: 29 May 2004