butterfly weed

[ buht-er-flahy weed ]

noun

1. Also called or·ange milk·weed [awr, -inj , milk, -weed, or, -]. a North American milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, having clusters of bright orange flowers.
2. an erect North American plant, Gaura coccinea, of the evening primrose family, having wandlike spikes of white to pink flowers turning red with age.

butterfly weed

noun

1. a North American asclepiadaceous plant, Asclepias tuberosa (or A. decumbens ), having flat-topped clusters of bright orange flowers Also calledorange milkweedpleurisy root

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly weed¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

Mark the location of perennials like butterfly weed and hardy hibiscus that emerge later than most plants in spring.

From Seattle Times

“The butterflies have always been here,” she said as she watches a monarch circle the flaming orange blossoms of a type of milkweed called, appropriately, butterfly weed.

From National Geographic

She placed the monarch caterpillar and the butterfly weed it was attached to inside the cage to protect it from red wasps.

From New York Times

Never count spring snow out…fingers crossed for the butterfly weed I planted!

From Washington Post

“In June, one laid eggs all over my butterfly weed. Probably had a dozen get to full size, and then one day,” he said, “they all disappeared.”

From New York Times