Barona Cultural Center & Museum

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• Description: Tropical Milkweed is in the Asclepias family and is also known as Mexican Butterfly Weed. It is an invasive species to the United States, originating in southern North America, Central America and South America. It has been introduced to tropical areas such as Florida, Tennessee and southern California. Milkweeds are named for their latex, the milky liquid that is released when the plant is cut or damaged. Tropical Milkweed is an evergreen perennial with long thin leaves. Its flowers are yellow and orange and are clustered in bunches of 10–20. They flower year–round. Monarch butterflies are attracted to the bright flowers and use the plant as a place to mate and lay their eggs, and as a source of food.
   

• Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
   

• Phylum: Anthophyta (Flowering Plants)
   

• Family: Apocynaceae
   

• Genus: Asciepias
   

• Species: curassavica
   

• Collector: Windsong, Elizabeth
   

• Identified by: Windsong, Elizabeth
   

• Preparator: Holsbo, Emiley