Common Milkweed

Asclepias Syriaca

Needed for Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle

Photo by http://www.kusemuseum-naturepreserve.org

On one of our farms, there is the Common Milkweed  just growing wild. It is a site to see and in years past people did not like this plant. It was known as a noxious weed, but today more and more people are leaving the plant to help protect the monarch butterflies.

The caterpillar larva stage feeds on the plant milkweed. So it is vitally important to let this plant grow wild wherever you can.

The Common Milkweed is growing around our pond area in a sunny location. Native to our Midwest area.

 

Upon inspection of this plant growing on our property, I did capture a monarch caterpillar larva. (not shown in photo)

Best Milkweed for attracting Monarch Larva

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) …(shown in the pics above and below)
• Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) …
• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) …
• Antelope-horns Milkweed (Asclepias asperula) …
• Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)

 Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars).

Just check out that beautiful star-shaped flower. The flower if I remember right was fragrant.

One thing I noticed is the common milkweed blends in very nicely with ornamental grasses that grow around this area.

In the fall months, the common milkweed plant forms a white to tan colored pod as shown below. This pod has opened and you can see the brown mature seeds. This is a great time to collect seeds.

Here are some Common milkweed seeds that have been collected.

If you want to grow these plants from seed. The seeds will need a cold stratification process before planting. Usually, 3-6 weeks in wet sand or wet paper towel, stored in a ziplock bag and placed in the refrigerator in a safe place.

Start indoors a few months before setting the new transplants outdoors.

Let’s help protect and keep the Monarch butterfly population on the rise.

Don’t spray and continue to plant or spread the seeds to other areas of your property.

I hope you enjoyed my monarch butterfly information.