Pleurisy Root (Butterfly Weed) (Asclepias tuberosa) seeds, Organic
$4.95
Family: Milkweed (Asclepiadaceae)
Hardy to Zones 3 to 9
(Butterfly Weed, Butterfly Flower) Herbaceous perennial native to the American prairies. Strikingly beautiful herb, with tresses of deep yellow and orange flowers, sometimes nearly red, to a height of 30 inches. Magnetizes monarchs and feeds nectar to the bees. The root (as suggested by the species name) delves deep and is very tough. The root has a peculiar terebinthe odor. Traditional usage (American Indian and TWM): inflammation of the serous membrane. Low dose botanical. Plant prefers full sun and regular watering. Will survive in low-fertility areas and will cohabit happily with grasses. Sow the seed in the early spring. Tap-rooted plants are best sown in-situ, in the garden bed. The seed is a good cold-soil germinator and if you are not planting in the early spring then it is best to pre-treat the seeds in moist medium in the refrigerator (not the freezer) for 2 weeks before sowing warm. Germination is relatively fast and quite rewarding, as the seedlings are large and characteristically shaped. Large plants are best spaced at least 2 feet apart. Flowers to 3 feet tall.
Packet contains 30 seeds
1 g contains ~180 seeds
5 g contains ~ 900 seeds
10 g contains ~1,800 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
Lynn Armocida –
My 2-yr-old plant grown from this seed was gorgeous this summer…vibrant, strong, covered with blooms.
Richo, I just dug the roots from this plant, and it appears to have both white *and* yellow roots (see photo), is this possible? Are the yellow roots simply older than the white ones?
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Richo Cech –
hi lynn, nice job and thanks for writing. This is a situation where I get out my microscope and compare cross-sections. That quickly answers the conundrum. I do think its likely you have it right that the recent growth is white, the older growth yellow. r
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Luke (verified owner) –
These, along with my entire order have all germinated very well. After buying Richo’s book, Making Plant Medicine, I was hooked. The information contained in the book, and this very website has made it super easy for our middle school class to start some herbs and flowers by seed. A big thanks for your attention to detail and quality control. One can really tell it in the packaging and the seed itself.
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Willow Whyte Lynch –
Do you sell any Asclepias that is native to the eastern US?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Willow,
There really are a lot of species involved, but truly the best is Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Yes, you can get it here.
Richo
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Christine Chandler –
Would this plant survive on the edge of a woodland? Does it take over an area or mostly stay contained? Thanks.
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Richo Cech –
hello christine, yes, these do well at the edge of a woodland. they are basically a prairie species. they don’t spread rhizomatously and are not real vigorous self-seeders. but it can happen. r
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