Butterfly Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa

• Thin, slightly round, elliptic leaves with small points at the end

• Alternate leaf arrangement, though on some it may appear opposite at first glance

• Very hairy stems

• Flowers appear orange to reddish-orange and bloom in large, flat-topped clusters

• This species does not emit latex sap

• Host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars

Rose Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata

• Thin, angular, pointy leaves that tend to hang or stand

• Opposite leaf arrangement (leaves found in parallel pairs along the stem)

• No hairs on stems

• Flowers appear pink to purple and bloom in clusters

• This species emits white latex sap when cut

• Host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars

Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea
 

• Oval leaves wider at the base than at the tip with widely spaced teeth on margins

• Opposite or alternate leaf arrangement

• Stems with small purple streaks

• Purple flowers with a yellowish to reddish brown central cone

• Nectar plant for many pollinators, including monarchs