Bloodflower
Asclepias curassavica
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Galápagos, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Palau, Panamá, Peru, Southwest Caribbean, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.
Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- Asclepias curassavica
- USDA Symbol:
- ASCU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- orange, red, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cleobaea Tigerwing (Lycorea cleobaea), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus), Soldier (Danaus eresimus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Julia butterfly (Dione vanillae), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to tropical and subtropical regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at warm temperatures (70-75°F). Light aids germination. Seeds have silky hairs and are wind-dispersed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.