What are some facts about milkweed?
Some Facts about Milkweed
- Milkweed contains a sticky sap which can be useful medicinally but contains a mild form of poison. ...
- The same milky sap can be applied topically to get rid of warts.
- The sap has a bitter taste which helps warn away insects and other creatures that want to feed on its tender leaves.
- The monarch butterfly’s larvae are immune to this poison. ...
How do you care for milkweed plants?
When & Where To Plant Milkweed
- Common Milkweed grows well in average garden soil.
- Swamp Milkweed, as its name implies, will do best in a moist environment, making it great for wet meadows or rain gardens.
- Tropical Milkweed performs beautifully in hot, humid conditions, and can be grown as an annual in the north.
- Butterfly Weed and Whorled Milkweed grows best in dry conditions.
What are the different types of milkweed?
- Woolly Pod milkweed ( A. eriocarpa)
- Woolly milkweed ( A. vestita)
- Heartleaf milkweed ( A. cordifolia)
- California milkweed ( A. california)
- Desert milkweed ( A. crosa)
- Showy milkweed ( A. speciosa)
- Mexican Whorled milkweed ( A. fascicularis)
Where can you buy milkweed plants?
The best place to buy live milkweed plants is right here. Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed Flagstaff, Arizona. A source for these native milkweed species
What plant family is milkweed?
DogbanesAsclepiad...Milkweed/Family
Is milkweed a plant or tree?
milkweed, (genus Asclepias), genus of about 140 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants belonging to the dogbane family Apocynaceae (formerly in Asclepiadaceae). Milkweeds are found throughout North and South America, and several are cultivated as ornamentals.
Is milkweed a type of flower?
Flowers. Milkweed flower color is variable across species and can be white, yellow, green, purple, pink, orange, or red. However, the structure of milkweed flowers is consistent, with each flower consisting of two main parts. Milkweed flowers are arranged in clusters.
Is milkweed a shrub?
Whitestem milkweed (A. albicans) PLANT: Shrub growth form with wand-like stems branching at tip; smooth and waxy; 10' max. LEAVES: Opposite or in whorls of three; narrow to linear; shed during drought. SOILS/HABITAT: Rocky; dry; deserts, creosote bush scrub.
How poisonous is milkweed?
All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and confusion in small amounts, and seizures, heart rhythm changes, respiratory paralysis, and even death in large amounts. Milkweed can also irritate the skin and eyes if touched.
Where should you not plant milkweed?
It is not recommended to plant milkweed within 10 miles of the coast in central and northern California where milkweed did not occur historically. Instead, plant a variety of flowers native to your region that provide nectar from early spring through fall to support monarchs and other pollinators.
What is milkweed good for?
Although potentially poisonous, the plant has been used for medicinal purposes as well. Many indigenous tribes applied milkweed sap for wart removal and chewed its roots to treat dysentery. It was also used in salves and infusions to treat swelling, rashes, coughs, fevers and asthma.
What are milkweed flowers called?
Asclepias syriaca, commonly called common milkweed, butterfly flower, silkweed, silky swallow-wort, and Virginia silkweed, is a species of flowering plant.
Can you eat milkweed?
Milkweed pods are edible while they are still immature and edible. Mature pods vary in size by plant, but generally, under 1.5″ is a good size to start at.
Is milkweed poisonous to dogs?
The Pet Poison Helpline reports that milkweed is a moderate to severe poisoning in dogs and cats, which means get to the vet as soon as you suspect your pet has ingested the plant, or even butterflies or caterpillars that eat milkweed. Buddy's symptoms were typical for poisoning, but other signs include: Drooling.
Are milkweeds invasive?
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the source of the plant's bad reputation—it's quite invasive.
Do bees like milkweed?
"Very fond of milkweed blossoms, bees will desert other flowers when these are available. The plants provide a good nectar flow. Bees discard the pollen. Assuming enough plants are available, milkweeds can bring a good crop of honey."
Where is milkweed found?
Milkweeds are found throughout North and South America, and several are cultivated as ornamentals. Many milkweed butterflies, including monarch butterflies, ...
What is milkweed used for?
curassavica ), and showy milkweed ( A. speciosa) often are cultivated as ornamentals and to attract butterflies. The butterfly weed ( A. tuberosa) of North America has bright orange flowers and is an important butterfly host plant. Urban and agricultural development has led to a decline in both wild milkweeds and the butterfly populations that depend on them, and the planting of milkweed species that are native to a given area is encouraged by conservationists.
How many species are there in the Milkweed family?
Asclepiadaceae, or milkweed family, and includes about 400 genera and 4,555 species. This realignment is based on DNA sequencing as well as morphological similarities, such as their milky sap and highly modified gynoecium (female flower structure). These female floral adaptations include an often five-sided style head and…
How many petals does milkweed have?
Physical description. Most milkweeds have milky juice, flowers with five united petals, podlike fruits, and, usually, tufted seeds. Male and female parts of each flower are united in a single structure, and the flowers are typically borne in clusters.
What is the name of the bundle of pollen that is linked by a yokelike bar of tissue?
The pollen is characteristically massed in bundles called pollinia, pairs of which are linked by a yokelike bar of tissue contributed by the stigma of the pistil. Parts of the pollinia stick to visiting insect pollinators, which then carry them to other flowers to facilitate cross-pollination.
What do monarch caterpillars eat?
Monarch caterpillar feeding on a milkweed ( Asclepias) leaf. Monarchs and other milkweed butterflies rely exclusively on milkweed plants as a food source for their larvae.
How to Plant and Grow Milkweed
Milkweed is a native wildflower beloved by monarch butterflies. There are a number of popular species suited for cultivation in the garden. Here’s how to plant, grow, and care for milkweed in your garden—and support butterflies!
About Milkweed
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the best known species of the over 100 perennial milkweed species native to North America. Milkweed plants support 12 species of butterflies and moths, including the Monarch butterfly.
What is milkweed?
These are so easy to grow that for a long time they were considered annoying weeds instead of desirable flowers. Milkweeds are perennials and are found over much of North America.
How tall does milkweed grow?
Common milkweed ( A. syriaca) Tall stalks of common milkweed, growing mainly to 5 feet but occasionally to as much as 8 feet, contrast with shorter butterfly weed. Balls of small pink-to-purple flowers appear only in summer. This variety needs a lot of sunlight; don’t place it near areas that get any shade.
What is the best flower to grow in the western half of North America?
Showy milkweed ( A. speciosa) This is a good choice for the western half of North America. Ball-shaped clusters of flowers that are star-shaped and usually blush or rosy pink bloom in summer. This is another sun-loving plant that needs water.
How many monarch plants are there in Texas?
If you really want some low-maintenance, monarch-friendly plants, look for varieties that are native to your region. These varieties have the best chance of doing very well and withstanding whatever climate issues your region throws at them. There are too many to discuss in one article – for example, Texas has about 36 native varieties and Nebraska has about 17 – but a few are standouts.
Where does purple milkweed grow?
This purple milkweed is native to central and southern California , and it prefers drier areas. It is drought-tolerant and grows to only about 3 feet. A distinguishing feature is the white fuzz that covers its stems.
Where does milkweed grow in Texas?
Texas milkweed ( A. texana) This grows in the higher elevations of western and southwestern Texas, such as around the Trans-Pecos region and the Edwards Plateau. This is the only white milkweed that grows in the state.
Do milkweeds need full sun?
It likes moister areas like river banks despite not needing a lot of water, so if your yard is near a stream, this might be a great variety for you. It does need full sun and well-draining soil that’s slightly acidic. 6. California milkweed ( A. californica)
What is milkweed?
Common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterflies —especially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed. When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves of milkweed. Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit.
What is milkweed attractive to?
Attractive to Monarch Butterflies. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterflies —especially the monarch, ...
How many types of milkweed are there in the US?
There are over 100 native species of milkweed plants in the United States, including common milkweed. In addition to common milkweed, here are some of the most popular types of milkweed within the Asclepias genus, which come in different heights and colors:
How to propagate milkweed?
Propagating common milkweed by taking cuttings can be easier than dividing rhizomes because milkweed tends to grow deep taproots, which can be tricky to dig up. With cuttings , you can create new plants in a short period of time which is ideal if you want to get a quick start to creating your butterfly garden. Here are the steps for propagating milkweed plants with cuttings:
How tall does milkweed grow?
Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit. The long, oblong leaves are light green and grow to about 8 inches long. The stems and leaves bleed a milky sap when cut, which gives the plant its name. In late spring to mid-summer, fragrant clusters of pink-purple flowers appear.
What are the bugs that eat milkweed?
The usual suspects are attracted to common milkweed, including milkweed bugs (which don't do too much harm, in fact), aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, spider mites, thrips, and leaf miners. Hose, spray from a bottle, or use fingernails to scrape off the offenders. Snails and slugs also love young tender milkweed plants. Snail bait works well and won't harm monarchs, but as the plants grow, the snail problem minimizes.
What are milkweed seed pods used for?
This is not a particularly attractive plant, but in addition to its value in attracting butterflies, the seed pods can be used in dried flower arrangements. The flowers are also quite fragrant, and gardeners specializing in native species often grow milkweed.
What is milkweed?
Milkweed ( Asclepias) Milkweed are beautiful American wildflowers and delightful garden plants. Fragrant clusters of flowers are a magnet for butterflies and pollinators. Four species of native milkweed are found in most states: the Whorled Milkweed, Common Milkweed, and Swamp Milkweeds, and Butterfly Weed.
What is milkweed in butterfly gardens?
Shop Milkweed Plants. Butterfly Weed is the iconic, bright orange beauty that's a staple in every butterfly garden. This showy native wildflower is easy to grow, cold hardy, and does well in poor, dry soi... Butterfly Weed is the iconic, bright orange beauty that's a staple in every butterfly garden.
Why are milkweed leaves disappearing?
However, because of widespread pesticide use and the destruction of meadows across the country , wild-growing milkweeds are disappearing in places where these butterflies breed. This has led to a nearly 90% decline in monarch populations over the last 2 decades! Looking ahead, if we don't replenish these lost milkweeds, Monarch butterflies will vanish from the American landscape forever. Fortunately, you can plant milkweed to help support your local monarch butterfly and pollinator population!
What is a whorled milkweed?
Whorled Milkweed earns it's name from it's skinny, "whorled leaves". Small clusters of white flowers bloom a little later in the season providing color in your garden when most flowers have disappeared. Prepare to entertain many types of pollinators such as butterflies, and bees with this Asclepias. Monarchs will lay their eggs and the larvae (caterpillars) will enjoy a late season feast. When planting this perennial you can be proud to be supporting the Monarch population. (Asclepias verticillata)
Why do you plant milkweed in a garden?
Plant milkweed in your meadow or garden to provide much-needed habitat and food for monarch butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Follow our guide to learn how to planting and growing healthy milkweed.
How to plant milkweed in a hole?
Start with healthy plants that have developed root systems. Prepare a planting hole that's twice as deep and twize as wide as the root ball of your milkweed plant. When planting multiple plants, you can amend the soil for each planting hole, or amend the whole bed before planting.
When does butterfly weed bloom?
Long-lasting clusters of small, flat-topped flowers are crowned with a yellow, sun-kissed "corona" and bloom from June through August.
Where is milkweed native to?
Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) Tropical milkweed is an annual plant that is no native to the US (Woodson, 1954). It is native to Central and South America (Broyles and Stoj 2019). Electronic records show that tropical milkweed was planted in gardens in the US as early as 1806 (Satterfield et al., 2015).
What are the characteristics of milkweed?
Key Characteristics of Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca: Flower color ranges from pink to white, highly fragrant. Milky sap when leaves/stem broken. Fine hairs on underside of leaves—soft and velvety! Mature leaves typically quite broad.
How long does a swamp milkweed flower last?
Flowers will last about 5 days and each flower produces about 1.5 uL of nectar each day, with a mean sucrose concentration of 30% (C.T. Ivey, unpublished data). Monarchs often lay eggs on fresh shoots that are easier for caterpillars to feed on. Swamp milkweed can spread highly efficiently by shooting out rhizomes.
Where does swamp milkweed grow?
Swamp Milkweed is a native perennial of the eastern and central United States and southern Canada (Manitoba, Quebec, and Nova Scotia). It is common in wetlands. Swamp milkweed will often have multiple stems up to 2 m tall and it can have several stems coming from one single root crown (Ivey et al., 2003). Each stem on average can have 22 pink ...
How does milkweed spread?
It prefers well-drained soils. Common milkweed can spread highly efficiently by shooting out rhizomes that can form large clones of up to several thousand stems (Wilbur, 1979). This means a patch of common milkweed could actually just be a single plant.
What is the color of swamp milkweed?
This means a patch of Swamp milkweed could actually just be a single plant! Key Characteristics of Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) Flower color ranges from pink to light purple, fragrant. Produces milky sap when leaves/stem broken. Leaves are generally smooth, long, and narrow, tapering to a point.
Where does antelope horn milkweed come from?
Antelope horns milkweed is native to the western United States and is found in savannas and prairies. Its name comes from the curved shape of the seedpods that often resembles antelope horns.
What is the color of milkweed?
Also known as “bloodflower,” “sunset flower,” or “tropical milkweed,” this plant has very brightly colored, striking flowers that are red and yellow.
What is the name of the seed pods in milkweed?
A. eriocarpa is known for its wooly seed pods, which give it its common name, “woolypod milkweed,” as well as its species name, “eriocarpa.”
Where is whorled milkweed native to?
In Canada, whorled milkweed is native to the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
What is the name of the plant that has a greenish tint?
viridis is sometimes called “green-flowered milkweed.” And like that plant, its blooms have a greenish tint, giving it its most common name, “green milkweed.”
What is the name of the weed that grows in the water?
Moving from wet to wetter, we come to our next selection, A. perennis, commonly called “aquatic milkweed.”
What flower do bees eat?
A bee forages from an A. asperula flower.
Why are milkweeds important for monarch butterflies?
Since milkweeds are larval host plants for monarch s, increased plantings of these wildflowers will help populations of these regal butterflies in their efforts to make their grand migrations, a phenomenon which is in peril.
Overview
Significance
- Milkweed is the single most important source of food for the threatened monarch butterfly, and planting a patch or two in your landscape is an important contribution to the continued existence of the species. The butterflies use the plants for all stages of their lifecycle, so watching the caterpillars feast on leaves, create their chrysalises, then mature and hatch into butterflies can b…
Safety
- It is important not to use pesticides in a butterfly garden, as the same chemicals that kill destructive insects will also kill butterflies and their larva. Most gardeners find, though, that once a garden goes chemical-free, it establishes a good balance of beneficial, predatory insects, as well as providing songbirds with a source of food (many bird species consume large quantities of ins…
Causes
- Plant milkweed about 18 inches apart; their rhizomatous roots will quickly fill in the space between plants. There's no need to fertilize milkweed plants, as they tolerate poor soils. Your biggest maintenance challenge with them will probably be in containing them. Asclepias syriaca spreads both via seeds and rhizomes, forming colonies.
Cultivation
- Milkweed spreads easily via rhizomatous roots; cutting root sections and planting them so the roots are just buried will easily propagate the plants. Milkweed can also be grown easily from collected seeds planted about 1 inch deep in the garden.
Toxicity
- Common milkweed leaves and roots are toxic to humans, but only if it is consumed in large amounts. The plant has actually been a food source for Native American tribes, who carefully prepared it by cooking. Wild-food enthusiasts continue to cook and eat the plant today. However, eating large quantities of unprepared milkweed may cause bloating, fever, difficulty breathing, di…
Types
- Many find butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), with its bright orange flowers, a more attractive type of milkweed than the common milkweed. Another type of milkweed is swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), which is a good choice for moist soils.
Uses
- This is not a particularly attractive plant, but in addition to its value in attracting butterflies, the seed pods can be used in dried flower arrangements. The flowers are also quite fragrant, and gardeners specializing in native species often grow milkweed. Milkweed has a history of medicinal use, but be aware that the leaves and the milk-like substance within are poisonousit's …
Management
- There are no serious disease or pest problems with common milkweed. The most serious issue is its aggressive spreading habit. Removing seed pods will prevent the plant from self-seeding far and wide. Periodically, you may need to dig up the plants during fall and discard all but selected portions of the roots to keep the plant tamed in the garden.