Asclepias tuberosa
£2.50
Butterfly weed, Pleurisy root. A tuberous perennial growing 75 cm (2½ ft) high with yellowish-orange flowers in summer. All the milkweeds have edible young shoots (cooked like asparagus) and flowers buds (with a pea flavour). A fibre is produced from the stems, and the seed floss is water-repellent and formerly used in life jackets. The stems produce a latex in small amounts which makes a high quality rubber. this species has flowers very rich in nectar (which can crystallise and hang in lumps) which makes a sweet summer snack. A long-used medicinal plant. Likes a well-drained soil and sun; protect young plants from slugs. Hardy to -35ºC. Stratification: ND. Number of seeds: 25.
Out of stock (For plants, a selection of summer/warm-weather plants is available June/July and our main stock list from August, for autumn/winter delivery)
Description
Butterfly weed, Pleurisy root. A tuberous perennial growing 75 cm (2½ ft) high with yellowish-orange flowers in summer. All the milkweeds have edible young shoots (cooked like asparagus) and flowers buds (with a pea flavour). A fibre is produced from the stems, and the seed floss is water-repellent and formerly used in life jackets. The stems produce a latex in small amounts which makes a high quality rubber; this species has flowers very rich in nectar (which can crystallise and hang in lumps) which makes a sweet summer snack. A long-used medicinal plant. Likes a well-drained soil and sun; protect young plants from slugs. Hardy to -35ºC. Stratification: ND