Plant · GBIF taxon 3170241
tropical milkweed
Asclepias curassavicaAlso known as Bloodflower, Scarlet Milkweed, Mexican Butterfly Weed, Cotton Bush
Tropical milkweed displays vibrant clusters of scarlet and golden-yellow flowers that attract a wide variety of pollinators year-round in warm climates. As a primary larval host plant for monarch and queen butterflies, its leaves provide essential cardenolides that caterpillars sequester for toxic self-defense against predators. In frost-free regions outside its native range, continuous foliage growth can harbor harmful protozoan parasites, making seasonal pruning an essential conservation practice.
FloweringHost PlantToxic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Predators
- Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar
- Queen Butterfly Caterpillar
- Oleander Aphid
ThreatsHabitat clearing, herbicide spraying, invasive plant management
HabitatsDisturbed ground, pastures, roadsides, tropical fields, gardens
Life spanShort-lived perennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderGentianales
- FamilyApocynaceae
- GenusAsclepias
- SpeciesAsclepias curassavica
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains toxic cardiac glycosides and irritating milky sap; avoid ingestion and contact with eyes or skin.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains toxic cardenolides that disrupt cardiac function if eaten and sap that irritates eyes and skin.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for erect green stems with narrow opposite leaves and flat-topped clusters of red petals with yellow crowns.
- What to do
- Wear gloves when handling stems, wash hands thoroughly after contact, and keep away from livestock and pets.
Responsible observation
- Cut Back Annually: Prune stems to the ground in autumn in non-native areas to prevent parasite buildup that harms monarchs.
- Handle with Care: Wear protective gloves when trimming foliage to prevent milky sap from contacting skin or eyes.
- Garden Placement: Position plants in full sun with well-draining soil to encourage profuse, season-long blooms.
Host Plant Sid Mosdell from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Herbivore (c) Franz Anthony, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Franz Anthony · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Randy Nonenmacher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · cc-by
Close Relative (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aarongunnar · cc-by
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