The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Butterfly weed
Asclepias tuberosa
— Milkweed family, North America —
Butterfly weed is used for both fiber and medicine. Like other milkweeds, butterfly weeds have seeds that drift away on the wind with a silky parachute called floss.
Did you know that American children helped out during World War II by collecting floss from common milkweed? It provided stuffing for U.S. Navy life vests.
Erected by Smithsonian Gardens, Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • War, World II.
Location. 38° 53.456′ N, 77° 1.766′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. Marker can be reached from Madison Drive Northwest west of 12th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC 20560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Coneflower (here, next to this marker); Ingenuity (here, next to this marker); Discovery (here, next to this marker); Common Ground (a few steps from this marker); Ornamental onion (a few steps from this marker); Sneezewood (a few
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Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. An identical marker stands a few feet away.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
