Pleurisy Root (Butterfly Weed) (Asclepias tuberosa) seeds, Organic

(3 customer reviews)

$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

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5 out of 5 stars

3 reviews

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What others are saying

  1. Lynn Armocida

    Beautiful plant

    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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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      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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  2. One person found this helpful
    Luke

    Strong and Beautiful Seedlings!

    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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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Hi Luke, Good, its working. Richo

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    • Willow Whyte Lynch

      Do you sell any Asclepias that is native to the eastern US?

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    • 8 out of 8 people found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      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

      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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