The picture we show is of Ratibida columinfera pulcherrima, which has characteristic red-brown ray flower bases. The standard species has all yellow ray flowers. Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Milkweed From the Milkweed family, this perrenial flourishes from June to September in full sun. The flowers are rounded or flat-topped clusters that are yellow, orange or red. It grows from 1.5-2.5 feet tall.
Mature plants are difficult to transplant as they are sensitive to shock.
Early settlers used roots as treatments for fevers, bronchitis, rheumatism, colic, pleurisy and dressing open wounds. Today, it is increasingly harvested from the wild for herbal medicines. It is the only milkweed that doesn't have milky sap. The monarch butterfly caterpillar avidly feeds on its foliage and flower buds. Ipomopsis rubra - Standing Cypress Red tubular flowers bloom in May and June.