Asclepias curassavica
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| Asclepias curassavica L. |
Mexican Butterfly Weed, Blood-flower or Scarlet Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a species of milkweed.
Asclepias curassavica, one of several varities of Milkweed, is a plant with brilliant reddish orange flowers and is excellent in butterfly gardens. Milkweed is the only host to the Monarch butterfly.
Milkweed contains a white toxic sap. It is used to expel worms and induce vomiting. It effects the heart similarly to digitalis plants. Birds will not eat butterflies that feed from this flower.
It is thought to be originally from the Caribbean, but is now worldwide in tropical areas. It should not be considered a native North American plant, though it can even successfully reseed in temperate areas.
[edit] Gallery
 Flower closeup |
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 Flowers with ants feeding on the nectar |
 Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Gold' |
 Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Gold' |
 Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Red' |
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