Butterfly weed occurs in open, dry habitats throughout the eastern US, and is common in most Florida
scrubs. It's a herbaceous perennial that sprouts back in
spring from a large underground tuber. Butterfly weed is
the only milkweed that doesn't have opposite leaves and
doesn't have milky sap. Flower color ranges from
yellow-orange to red, and the striking bright red flowers
of this specimen caught the photographer's eye as he was
driving by a scrub in Polk County. Butterflies sip nectar
from this and other milkweed flowers, and the
caterpillars of several butterfly species, including the
migratory monarch, feed on the foliage. Butterfly weed is
often planted in the home landscape to attract
butterflies, and is available from many nurseries.
Butterfly weed occurs in open, dry habitats throughout the eastern US, and is common in most Florida
scrubs. It's a herbaceous perennial that sprouts back in
spring from a large underground tuber. Butterfly weed is
the only milkweed that doesn't have opposite leaves and
doesn't have milky sap. Flower color ranges from
yellow-orange to red, and the striking bright red flowers
of this specimen caught the photographer's eye as he was
driving by a scrub in Polk County. Butterflies sip nectar
from this and other milkweed flowers, and the
caterpillars of several butterfly species, including the
migratory monarch, feed on the foliage. Butterfly weed is
often planted in the home landscape to attract
butterflies, and is available from many nurseries. 
