Butterfly Weed

Member of Milkweed Family

Blooms : May - July

I have posted pictures of this plant earlier, but I saw this one on the way to church this morning and just had to stop and capture it's beautiful flowers. As you can see, the Black Swallowtail Butterfly was attracted to it as well. They feed on it's nectar and lay their eggs underneath the plant's leaves.

It is also called "Chiggerweed", yes, it is covered in chiggers. I don't recommend picking them or you will be sorry.

Click on the picture, click again for full view, and admire it's beautiful flowers. This is a spectacular plant and often is found in large quantities along roadsides and openings in the woodlands. If you scroll across to right, you will see Spotted Beebalm in the background, along with Indian Paintbrush and Yellow Coreopsis.