Butterfly Milkweed

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

❌ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Ranked S4 (Apparently Secure) in Ontario and SNR (Not Ranked) in Quebec by NatureServe. Nationally ranked N4 in Canada. Not listed under SARA or assessed by COSEWIC. In the Ottawa area, Brunton classifies it as RS (Regionally Significant) with a single confirmed native site at Constance Bay Sand Hills. Gillett & White (1978) recorded it as rare at Baie de Constance on the Quebec side. Despite numerous GBIF observations in the Gatineau area, formal native status in Quebec remains unconfirmed by VASCAN.

S22 S4 ON, SNR QC, N4 CA; S26 not SARA listed; S62 RS in Ottawa; S63 Rare at Baie de Constance

Rarity Ranks

QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON S4 – Apparently Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

In the Ottawa region, butterfly milkweed occupies a very narrow niche restricted to dry, open sandy habitats such as the Constance Bay Sand Hills. It is associated with oak-pine barrens, sandy prairies, and open disturbed roadsides on well-drained substrates. The species is uncommon locally, rated RS (regionally significant) by Brunton with only one confirmed native site. It occupies early-successional to mid-successional openings maintained by periodic disturbance, and its fleshy tuberous root enables persistence in nutrient-poor, drought-prone sands.

S62 RS at Constance Bay; S7 dry barrens and savannas; S4 prairies and open woods

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = High (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S72 Hemenway (tables: 7-1, appendix_a, pp. 112, 186); S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]

Notes

Butterfly milkweed functions primarily as an insectary plant in guild design, attracting lacewings and ladybugs per Hemenway Table 7-1. Its drought tolerance and preference for well-drained, sandy soils make it ideal for dry guild edges and pollinator strips. Pair with other dry-site natives in sunny openings. Its deep taproot avoids competition with shallow-rooted companions, and deer resistance (USDA Palatable Browse=Low) makes it a reliable anchor in exposed plantings.

S72 insectary, Table 7-1 LB; S11 drought tolerant, deer resistant; S29 prefers dry, sandy soil

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

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Category

Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Antispasmodic, Antirheumatic, Carminative, Cathartic, Ceremonial Medicine, Dermatological Aid, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Gynecological Aid, Heart Medicine, Laxative, Orthopedic Aid, Pulmonary Aid, Tonic, Vasodilator

S28 Moerman 30 Drug uses across 10 nations; S29 PFAF medicinal categories

Notes

One of the most extensively used medicinal plants among First Nations, with 30 drug uses documented across Cherokee, Delaware, Iroquois, Menominee, Mohegan, Navajo, Omaha, and Ponca peoples. The tuberous root was the primary medicinal part, used most prominently as a pulmonary aid and expectorant for pleurisy (hence the common name 'pleurisy root'). Cherokee used it for breast, stomach, and intestinal pains; Delaware and Omaha for rheumatism and post-childbirth recovery. Iroquois applied root poultices for running strength. Health Canada NHPID classifies it as an approved herbal medicine (Schedule 1). PFAF rates medicinal value 3/5.

S28 30 drug uses, 10 nations; S29 antispasmodic, expectorant, tonic, vasodilator; S36 NHPID approved

Edibility & Foraging

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Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

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❌ Not Edible   

Foraging Notes

PFAF rates edibility 3/5. Young shoots cooked as asparagus substitute; flower buds cooked taste like peas; young seed pods harvested before floss forms are appetizing; flowers produce crystallized nectar in hot weather. Root is edible but bitter and resinous. However, all parts contain toxic resinoids and cardiac glycosides at genus level, and large doses can cause diarrhea and vomiting. USDA rates Palatable Human as No. Cooking is essential to neutralize toxins.

S29 edible parts and preparation; S11 Palatable Human=No; S4 poisonous parts warning

Toxicity

⚠️ Moderate Toxicity

Not listed in Cornell poisonous plants database. USDA Toxicity rated None. However, PFAF notes that many Asclepias species contain toxic resinoids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides, and the plant is poisonous if eaten in large quantities. LBJ Wildflower Center warns of toxic principles (resinoid, cardiac glycoside) in roots and plant sap, with symptoms including vomiting, stupor, weakness, and spasms. OWSL flags it as toxic to mammals if ingested. This species uniquely lacks the milky latex typical of the genus, producing clear sap instead.

S38 not listed; S11 Toxicity=None; S29 genus-level toxins; S4 resinoid, cardiac glycoside; S3 toxic to mammals

Seed Source

• Localeaf / Northern Wildflowers