In the tropical regions of the world we find really spectacular plants, but the one that I am going to present you next is also very interesting. Why? Because it attracts butterflies. Its scientific name is Asclepias curassavicathough you may know her better by the name Blood Flower.
It is an evergreen subshrub that produces vivid red and yellow flowers. Would you like to meet him? Let's go there.
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonist is a native subshrub of tropical America, but today it is found naturalized in many -warm- parts of the world. As we mentioned, its scientific name is Asclepias curassavica, and its common or popular names are: Spanish flag, blood flower, platanillo, María or burladora grass.
It reaches a height of up to 1 meter, and has more or less straight stems of pale gray color. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate. The flowers appear grouped in terminal cymes with 10-20 flowers each. These have purple or red corollas, with yellow or orange crown lobes.
The fruit is a follicle 5-10cm in length. It contains oval dark-colored seeds 6-7mm long, with silky hairs that allow them to "fly" to other distant places in order to germinate.
This plant contains milky sap (latex) which is toxic. It can cause irritation on contact with the skin, or have a significant purgative effect if ingested.
What are their cares?
If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
- Location: outdoors, in full sun or in semi-shade.
- Earth:
- Pot: universal growing substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
- Garden: it is indifferent as long as it is fertile and has good drainage.
- Irrigation: during the summer 3-4 times a week, the rest of the year every 4-5 days.
- Subscriber: from early spring to late summer with ecological fertilizers, using liquids if potted.
- Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
- Rusticity: withstands cold and frosts down to -3ºC.
What did you think of Asclepias curassavica?
Hello, I just want to point out that the maximum height is wrong since I have seen them reach more than two meters high.
Regards,
Sabrina
Hello, I have 2 Asclepias grafts in a lemon tree, with their pods or beans and a few leaves…. and I know nothing and overflowing lemon tree and lemons galore ... but just in my first 80 years I dedicate myself, due to my quarantine, to gardening and orchard due to ignorance I ask for help ... Thank you