Are there milkweeds in Florida?
Most people are used to seeing the bright orange flowers of the, non-native, scarlet milkweed ( Asclepias curassavica) and don’t realize that Florida is home to twenty one native milkweeds. Our native species are all around us in our natural areas, but due to their diminutive size most go unnoticed.
Is there a milkweed that has pink flowers?
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a Florida native milkweed with pink blooms. Credit: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org
Where can I find native milkweed seeds?
The Florida Wildflower Cooperative sells native milkweed seeds. You’ll have to use the “search seed packets” box to see if they carry the species you want. Thanks Florida Wildflower Coop! Always check too because you never know what you may find.
Is tropical milkweed the same as butterfly weed?
Tropical milkweed ( Asclepias curassavica) is a showstopper. It produces bunches of orange, yellow, and red tubular blooms for months. The colorful flowers earned it the name bloodflower and scarlet milkweed commercially. Sometimes it is labeled "butterfly weed" or simply "milkweed."
What milkweed is native to Florida?
Asclepias tuberosaTwo milkweed species are commonly offered for sale as "butterfly garden plants." One, Asclepias tuberosa, is native to Florida. The other, Asclepias curassavica, is non-native.
Is scarlet milkweed the same as tropical milkweed?
Other common names for this plant include Scarlet Milkweed, Mexican Milkweed, Bloodflower, and Silkweed. Technically not native to the United States, Tropical Milkweed is widely popular in butterfly gardens.
Where is scarlet milkweed native to?
Tropical or scarlet milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is native to South America, but it has become naturalized in parts of several southern states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas.
Does milkweed grow wild in Florida?
You can support Monarch butterflies by planting Florida's native milkweeds and advocating for reduced mowing on roadsides. Twenty-one Florida native milkweed species are native to Florida. The three native species featured below are available at Florida native nurseries.
Do monarch caterpillars eat scarlet milkweed?
The female monarchs seek out milkweed plants for egg-laying so that the caterpillars will have a plentiful supply of fodder as they fatten up for the metamorphosis, which will magically transform themselves into winged beauties.
Does scarlet milkweed spread?
The scarlet milkweed with red and yellow, orange and yellow or just yellow blossoms will reach 24 to 36 inches in height and spread to 24 inches. Grow it in full sun with fertile well-drained soil and you will find it to be virtually maintenance-free.
Is Scarlet milkweed a perennial?
The Silky Scarlett Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a perennial in planting zones 9-11. This nectar producing plant grows three ft.
Can tropical milkweed survive a freeze?
“When tropical milkweed is planted in the coastal southern U.S. and California, these plants continue to flower and produce new leaves throughout the fall and winter, except during rare freeze events.
How do you take care of scarlet milkweed?
Best planted in groups.Plant Feed. Annually with organic matter.Watering. Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings.Soil. Fertile, well-drained soil.Basic Care Summary. Very easy to grow in virtually any location. Tolerates hot, dry conditions. Best in fertile, well-drained soil.
Which milkweed is best for monarchs in Florida?
In Florida, we see migrating monarchs in spring and fall, but also see year-round butterflies who take advantage of our warm climate and the prevalence of non-native tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica). This species has showy flowers, is easy to grow and reliably attracts monarchs.
Should you cut back milkweed in Florida?
It is recommended to prune the milkweed stalks to about 6 inches in height during the fall and winter months to discourage monarchs from establishing winter-breeding colonies. Cutting back the milkweed will also help to eliminate OE spores that may be present on the plant.
Which milkweed is invasive?
common milkweedThe common milkweed is very aggressive and invasive and take over your butterfly garden very quickly.
How do I identify a tropical milkweed?
Underground stems. Leaves: broad and thick, 10 to 20 cm long, arranged in opposite pairs on the stem and with pubescent undersides. Flowers: pale pink or violet, arranged in almost spherical umbels. Fruits: large spindle-shaped fruit, bumpy, rough and downy.
What are the different types of milkweed?
Common milkweedButterfly weedMexican Butterfly WeedSwamp milkweedWhorled milkweedShowy milkweedMilkweed/Lower classifications
Are there different varieties of milkweed?
Meet twelve of the most ornamental milkweeds native to different parts of the country. Make it a goal to add a patch of at least one milkweed species native to where you live to help the monarchs.
Which milkweed plant do Monarchs prefer?
Female monarchs will lay eggs on all nine milkweed species, but they prefer some over others. Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (A. syriaca) averaged the highest number of eggs.
How many milkweeds are there in Florida?
Most people are used to seeing the bright orange flowers of the, non-native, scarlet milkweed ( Asclepias curassavica) and don’t realize that Florida is home to twenty one native milkweeds. Our native species are all around us in our natural areas, but due to their diminutive size most go unnoticed. Next time you are out for a hike keep an eye out ...
How does milkweed work?
To insure pollination, milkweed flowers have developed a unique mechanism in their structure. They put insects to work during their visits for nectar by creating a flower structure that catches the visitor’s feet in a crevice between the horns and the crown.
What are milkweeds good for?
Most milkweeds are easy to grow, provide larval food for monarch, queen, and soldier, butterflies, and are a source of nectar and pollen for a great many insects, including butterflies.
What do pollinia look like?
The pollinia look like tiny saddle bags dangling from the insect’s feet. These are deposited to the stigmatic chamber of the next flower that is visited.
Is Florida milkweed in stock?
Florida native milkweed seeds, and plants, can be very difficult to locate. I occasionally get them in stock, but unfortunately I’m out of stock usually.
Can milkweed grow in dry soil?
Rather than improving your soil, or installing sprinklers, think of matching the plant to the environment. If an area of your property has dry, sandy, soil you can grow Asclepias humistrata or another dry site milkweed. Areas that are moist and soggy will support Asclepias incarnata or another swamp milkweed. Think in those terms and you can spend more time enjoying the garden, and its visitors, and less time working on it.
Where is scarlet milkweed native to?
Scarlet Milkweed - Friend or Foe? Tropical or scarlet milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is native to South America, but it has become naturalized in parts of several southern states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas. Many questions and opinions exist regarding its use in gardens.
What would happen if monarchs found no milkweed?
The rationalization is that if monarchs find no milkweed, they will not stop but will continue their migration. This would be helpful if gardens were the only places where tropical milkweed is found. The fallacy of this thinking is that since it has naturalized, it can be found everywhere.
Where do California eagles breed?
The California group migrates only as far as the California Coast each winter. The largest group breeds east of the Rocky Mountains and migrates to central Mexico. The third group is non-migratory and stays and breeds year round in southern Florida, Coastal Texas, Hawaii, and other tropical and subtropical areas.
Is milkweed good for monarch butterflies?
Tropical milkweed ( Asclepias curassavica) at first glance seems to be a desirable garden plant given that it is a host plant for the monarch butterfly. Since we know the monarch population is in serious jeopardy, we might assume that tropical milkweed would help to slow the decline.
How many species of milkweed are there in Florida?
There are 21 species of milkweed that are native to Florida, meaning these milkweeds naturally occur in Florida’s ecosystems. These native milkweeds have coexisted with Florida’s butterfly populations for a very long time. As more of our lands are converted to human uses, it’s beneficial to butterflies ...
When will milkweed be available in Florida?
Thursday, May 14, 2020. Many gardeners in Florida (and throughout North America) would like to provide more native milkweeds for monarch butterflies. Milkweeds serve as the host plant for monarchs (plus queen and soldier butterflies), meaning the butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed. Caterpillars hatch from the eggs and eat ...
How to plant milky sap?
Step 1: Choose your planting site & gather your tools. All you need to start planting are your seedlings in the seed tray and a small digging tool. Later you will need a watering can or hose. You can wear gloves if you don’t like getting your hands dirty (or if you are worried about contacting the milky sap).
When to plant pink swamp milkweed seeds in Florida?
The Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative is an online source for native wildflower seed packets. Species availability changes with the seasons, so keep checking back for more variety. I was able to purchase seed packets of pink swamp milkweed in late December 2019, planted the seeds in early January 2020, and transplanted the seedlings in late March 2020. (Note: Native wildflower seeds tend to lose viability relatively quickly, so plant your seeds shortly after receiving your packets.)
What happens if you break a milkweed stem?
If a milkweed stem is broken, a milky sap will ooze out. Avoid getting milkweed sap on your skin. If you do get the sap on your skin, avoid touching your face or eating until you can wash your skin with soap and water. Take care around pets or children.
Why do you water plants?
Watering in plants like this allows the roots to absorb water right away and helps the plant overcome the temporary stress of transplanting. If you are working in sandy soil, wait a minute for the water to seep into the ground before watering some more.
Does milkweed sap ooze out?
The toxins make the caterpillars and adult butterflies taste bad and protect them from predators. If a milkweed stem is broken, a milky sap will ooze out. Avoid getting milkweed sap on your skin.
How many milkweeds are there in Florida?
Of Florida’s 21 native milkweed species, there are only a handful you can easily raise at home. We’ll talk about what it takes to grow those first- we know that’s why a lot of you clicked. We’ll also look at sandhills milkweed, which Scott calls the most important milkweed species in the southeast.
Why cut back milkweed?
That’s one reason we’re told to cut the plant back in the winter, to prevent monarchs from wanting to stick around.
What is the name of the plant that grows in pine mulch?
Gail Fishman points to a little green spot in the pine mulch. “That is a sprout of Asclepias humistrata. ” The common name for this plant is sandhills milkweed, which is found in upland pine environments. We’re at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge greenhouse, and the Monarch-Milkweed Initiative is planting seeds.
Why do monarchs lay eggs on milkweed?
One reason is that we’ve been having warmer winters. And because this particular kind of milkweed has leaves throughout the winter, monarchs have started laying eggs on them later and later in the year.
When is humistrata ready to migrate?
And humistrata is ready when the migration really gets going in May. The other species offer leaves and flowers at different times, and grow in varied habitat types. And that last point is key.
What is the Monarch Milkweed Initiative?
Right now, the Monarch-Milkweed Initiative is aiding in a study comparing monarch and queen butterfly larva on aquatic and tropical milkweeds. They want to know if these butterflies have a preference for one over the other, and are comparing survival rates for caterpillars on both plants.
Can milkweed grow in the refuge?
There are milkweed varieties that won’t grow easily in the yard, but that are still critical species for monarch butterflies. One such plant is the one volunteers are planting in the Refuge greenhouse.
