Moderately drought tolerant native rhizomatous perennial with showy brilliant orange-red flowers, blooming May to September. Adaptable to loam and clay soils but prefers mesic to dry, sandy or rocky soils within dry prairies and woodlands, colonizing open disturbed areas such as roadsides; up to 7,500 ft. elevation. Usually 12-30 in. tall. Perhaps the most showy of the milkweeds, and is an excellent ornamental for landscaping. Widely distributed, attracting butterflies, honeybees, native bees and pollinating insects throughout its range. Larval host of the Monarch butterfly.

distribution / adaptation

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Forb/Herb

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Multiple Stem, Rhizomatous

Mature Height: 24 in.

Bloom Color: Orange-red

Bloom Period: Mid Summer

Annual Precipitation: 28-45 in.

Drought Tolerance: High

Shade Tolerance: Intolerant

Elevation:

Wetland Indicator Status:

Fire Resistance: No

Fire Tolerance: High

Nitrogen fixation: None

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Yes

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: No

Salinity Tolerance: None

CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

pH Range: 4.8-6.8

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 70,000

Seeding Rate: PLS lbs/acre

Season: Spring/Fall

Days to Germination: