What is Milkweed?
Milkweed is a common name for plants in the genus Asclepias. Over 100 species can be found in this genus, living in a variety of environments all over the world. Some milkweeds are treated as literal weeds and nuisance plants, but they are also grown as ornamentals and companion plants. Some garden stores offer several milkweed cultivars. These plants have simple leaves, umbel-shaped flowers, and a distinctive milky sap. The sap looks almost like latex, and at one point, people tried to refine it into a form of natural latex, unsuccessfully. Milkweed sap is also a mild skin irritant, and it can be toxic if it enters the bloodstream. When milkweed plants go to seed, the umbels burst open to reveal pods filled with tiny, feathered seeds which are borne on the wind across great distances. Depending on the species, milkweed may be orange, white, yellow, purple, pink, or a variety of other colors, and the height of the plant varies. Most milkweeds produce a nectar which is especially appeal
Everyone thinks Monarch Butterflies only eat Milkweed. But do you know what Milkweed really is? It is a group of plants with milky sap and light wind-blown seeds. Many milkweed species are host plants for butterflies and are abundant in longleaf pine forests. Every Monarch likes it. The Monarch Butterfly is sometimes called the “Milkweed Butterfly” because when it is in its larvae stage it eats the plant. In fact, milkweed is the only thing the larvae can eat. If you’d like to attract monarchs to your garden, you can try planting milkweed (if you live in the right area). Have you ever wondered why the Monarch Butterfly is so attracted to the milkweed plant. The main reason why Monarchs eat milkweed is because the milky sap of the milkweed provides protection for the Monarch Butterfly. If a bird tries to eat a Monarch, it receives a bad taste. The birds learn from their experience and will not eat another Monarch. This taste protects the Monarch Butterfly from its many predators. As you
In homeopathy, milkweed is a plant used to produce and inspire healthy ego strength, independence and self-reliance. It is supposedly helpful in relieving people of their burdens. It’s also connected in Hindu mythology with their Bacchus-like god, and with the food and drink of the gods, soma, as well as associated with the moon. Milkweed is a self-reliant little guy who embodies confidence. He’s had some hard times, but now he’s facing the world with vim and vigor!
Milkweed is a group of plants in the Asclepias genus and is named after the milky sap it secretes when you snap a leaf from its branch. There are over 150 species of Milkweed in the world with many of them being native to North America, South America, and southern regions of Africa. The Milkweed Photo Gallery is a great place to take a look at this beautiful genus of plants.
