yellow Tropical Milkweed Seed ,(Asclepias curassavica ‘Silky Gold’) Flowers

Asclepias curassavica ‘Silky Gold’ (Yellow Butterflyweed) – This is an all yellow form of the typically orange and yellow Butterfly Weed, also known as Tropical Milkweed, a tender perennial is prized for attracting butterflies, particularly the Monarch Butterfly, into the garden. Growing 3-4 feet tall by as wide this plant has narrow 6 inch long yellow-green lance-shaped leaves. The flowers, appearing in late spring to late fall, are on long stems bearing 3 to 4 inch long clusters of golden-yellow flowers that like others in this family not only have a calyx row of 5 sepals and above this the corolla of 5 petals but also and additional of appendages covering the stamens called a corona. On this cultivar all of the petals and corona are a deep golden yellow.
The flowers are followed by 3 inch long spindle-shaped seedpods that produces viable seed – this plant readily self-seeds to perpetuate itself within the garden. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and give occasional to regular irrigation. Although tender to frost this plant is root hardy to at least 15 F. Mulch if gardening in climates experiencing harder frosts or keep in a container that can be brought indoors in colder climates. A good plant mixed with other tall perennials and the long stems are excellent for cutting. Cut back in the fall after all caterpillars are gone but be wary of the milky sap, which can cause irritation and injury to eyes and is poisonous if ingested. An excellent butterfly nectar plant and attracts Monarch butterflies as an egg laying host as it is the sole food source for Monarch caterpillars (don’t remove those fantastic large-horned, black and yellow-striped caterpillars). This species is native to South America but has become a naturalized weed in tropical and subtropical pastures, fields and disturbed areas throughout the world, including central and southern Florida. The name for the genus was one that Carl Linnaeus ascribed after Asclepius (Asklepios), the Greek god of medicine and healing because of the many folk-medicinal uses for the milkweed plants. The specific epithet means of Curacao (Dutch Antilles) in reference to its origin from this South American location. Other common names include Hierba de la Cucaracha, Mexican Butterfly-weed, Scarlet milkweed, and Wild Ipecacuanha. We also grow the red and golden form called ‘Silky Deep Red’.  This description is based on our research and on the observations we have made of this plant as it grows in containers at our nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We also will incorporate comments we receive from others and appreciate receiving feedback of any kind from those who have additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Asclepias ‘Silky Gold’