Butterfly Weed, Orange Milkweed, Pleurisy Root Asclepias tuberosa Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae)

​The Bloom Blog
Blooming this week in the environs of Abiquiú
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By Wildflowers of the Southern Rocky Mountains

Found in open areas, canyons
Seen blooming in July in Bandelier National Monument

I am not seeing many butterflies this year. Perhaps I should plant this Butterfly Weed in my yard. This vibrant flower attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its nectar while Monarch butterfly caterpillars feed on its leaves. Not what I would call a weed. It grows from 1 to 2½ feet tall with stout, hairy stems and lance-shaped leaves. Bright orange flowers are in a flat-topped cluster two to three inches across. It has a history of medicinal use, particularly for respiratory issues. It's known for its antispasmodic, diaphoretic, and expectorant properties, making it a traditional remedy for conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy. It has also been used for influenza, stomach pains, diarrhea, heart troubles, snakebites and dog or coyote bites. Source.

​If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.