The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Inc.
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Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Picture
The lovely Monarch 
Shows citizen scientists
 How life intertwines

~ Dorothy Rodwell
​

There are 25 milkweed species in the genus Asclepias that reside in Florida. Twenty-four are native, one, the tropical, is not native. Milkweeds are the only plants that monarch butterflies will lay their eggs on.  Butterfly milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, is common through the State.  It is a somewhat different then the other milkweeds. For example, the leaves on most milkweeds are opposite; one to three stems, with latex or milk. Tuberosa’s leaves are alternate, it is multi-stemmed and has no milk. A maverick indeed. Tuberosa grows to height of about two feet and it has orange to reddish flowers in an umbel inflorescence, (flower arrangement).

Citizen Scientists
Recently, I acquired a tuberosa from the Florida Native Plant Society. I donated the specimen to Project Monarch, a program sponsored by the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve for the purpose of establishing a monarch butterfly population in the Preserve. This specimen has been planted and is being monitored by a small group of dedicated citizen scientists for deposited eggs, flower blooms, larva stages, heights of planted milkweeds and other scientific data points that are duly recorded. We could use some more citizen scientists.  

by Jim Rodwell
The Florida Native Plant Society promotes the preservation, conservation and restoration of native plants and native plant communities of Florida.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Copyright 2015, 2016. 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
  • Home
  • Calendar
  • Why Natives?
    • EXAMPLES
  • Projects
  • What We Do
    • About Us
  • Volunteer Info
    • Join/Support
    • Projects
    • FGCU Service Learning Hours
  • Education and Resources
    • Native Plants for your area
    • Native Host Plants for Butterflies
    • Native Wildflowers for Birds
    • Native Plants for Birds
    • Documents
  • Site Visits
  • Newsletter