butterfly weed
noun
: a North American milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) with showy orange flowers borne on erect leafy stems
Examples of butterfly weed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like many wildflowers, butterfly weed seeds germinate best when they are exposed to cold before spring.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
This milkweed, along with butterfly weed A. tuberosa, can be deadheaded to promote rebloom.
—Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2025
Include different varieties such as common milkweed, butterfly weed and swamp milkweed.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025
The National Wildlife Federation recommends the following three species that will work in most regions of the U.S.: Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025
Native Plant Garden: This garden features many different plants native to the region, including hydrangeas, irises, butterfly weed, and St. John's Wort, just to name a few.
—Madison Lipe, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
Like Eupatorium maculatum [spotted joe-pye weed], Asclepias tuberosa [butterfly weed] and species of echinacea [coneflower], aster and eryngium [sea holly].
—John Wogan Carmen Winant, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Chris Kennedy Orange butterfly weed, or Asclepias tuberosa, provides a burst of color.
—Robert Knox, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2023
Note the list includes butterfly weed, which is native to Wisconsin, but not butterfly bush, a nonnative that is considered controversial or invasive in some areas of the U.S.
—Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2023
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
This milkweed, along with butterfly weed A. tuberosa, can be deadheaded to promote rebloom.
—Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2025
Include different varieties such as common milkweed, butterfly weed and swamp milkweed.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025
The National Wildlife Federation recommends the following three species that will work in most regions of the U.S.: Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025
Native Plant Garden: This garden features many different plants native to the region, including hydrangeas, irises, butterfly weed, and St. John's Wort, just to name a few.
—Madison Lipe, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
Like Eupatorium maculatum [spotted joe-pye weed], Asclepias tuberosa [butterfly weed] and species of echinacea [coneflower], aster and eryngium [sea holly].
—John Wogan Carmen Winant, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Chris Kennedy Orange butterfly weed, or Asclepias tuberosa, provides a burst of color.
—Robert Knox, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2023
Note the list includes butterfly weed, which is native to Wisconsin, but not butterfly bush, a nonnative that is considered controversial or invasive in some areas of the U.S.
—Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Butterfly weed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly%20weed. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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butterfly weed
noun
: an orange-flowered milkweed of the genus Asclepias (A. tuberosa) of eastern North America that is a source of asclepias
called also pleurisy root
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