50 Asclepias curassavica Scarlet Milkweed TROPICAL SUNSET Flower Seeds ~ BULK~
Asclepias curassavica - Scarlet Milkweed, Sunset Flower SeedsThis tender perennial is native to South America, but has naturalized worldwide in many tropical and subtropical areas. It is part of the milkweed family, and as such, exudes a milky sap from the stem and leaves when cut. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on this plant, and the resulting larvae use the plant leaves as a food source. The flowers are red-orange with yellow hoods, and bloom for a longer period than the perennial milkweeds that are winter hardy in some areas. These brilliant wildflowers also attract hummingbirds!  Like most milkweeds, it has opposite leaves and milky sap. The leaves are about 5 in (12.7 cm) long, narrowly elliptic, and pointed at both ends. Scarlet milkweed gets about 3-4 ft (0.6-0.9 m) tall and usually has a few pairs of symmetrical branches. The flowers are orange and red and borne in terminal and axillary clusters that are 2-4 in (5.1-10.2 cm) across. It blooms continuously from spring until autumn. The fruits are spindle shaped pods, 3-4 in (7.6-10.2 cm) long, that eventually split open to release little flat seeds that drift away on silky parachutesOrigin: Not US NativeOther Common Names: Bloodflower, Silkweed, Indian Root, Cotton Bush, Sunset FlowerDuration: AnnualBloom Time: SummerHeight: 18" to 36"Spacing: 15" to 18"Light: Full SunSoil Moisture: MediumUSDA Zone: 3a-10bGermination: No pre-treatment needed. Soak seeds in hot water for 24 hours, then sow seeds on soil surface at 70F and water.WARNINGAll milkweeds are poisonous if ingested, and the milky sap is a skin irritant. The butterflies whose caterpillars feed on milkweeds contain the same poisonous glycosides and are poisonous as well.