ORANGE COUNTY ZOO
Photo courtesy of
Irvine Park Railroad
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The Orange County Zoo is
owned and operated by the
County
of Orange, California.
Web page produced by the
Orange County Zoological Society,
Copyright 2005.
Blood Flower Milkweed
Asclepias curassavica
This upright growing perennial is also known as silkweed, tropical milkweed,
scarlet milkweed, sunset flower and butterfly weed. A native to South
America, it is a favorite of hummingbirds, wasps, beetles and butterflies as a
nectar source. It is a food source for Monarch butterfly larvae. It
can reach 4 feet tall. Like most milkweeds, it has opposite leaves and a
milky sap. The bright orange and red flowers bloom from spring to late
fall.
Native American Usage
Various species of milkweed were used to make nets, slings, and snares to catch
small game. Seed were ground into flour