Asclepias syriaca "Common milkweed"
Common Milkweed is well known as a host plant of the iconic Monarch butterfly, but this species attracts a wide number of bees, butterflies, and other insects. It’s white-pink blooms have a wonderful aroma.
Height: 3-5’
Bloom time: Jun - Aug
Sunlight requirements: Full sun
Wetness: medium wet - medium dry
From wildflower.org: “According to the Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants or Edible Wild Plants, common milkweed is edible only under certain circumstances. Boiling can eliminate the bitter taste and toxicity of the sap, but this must be done very carefully to avoid the toxins. Eating milkweed is not recommended.
Native Americans used this species as a source of fibers and during the Second World War children in the northern states were encouraged to collect the seed pods that were processed for the coma, or floss, which was used for flotation in life vests. Today the coma is harvested for use in pillows and comforters.”
Common Milkweed is well known as a host plant of the iconic Monarch butterfly, but this species attracts a wide number of bees, butterflies, and other insects. It’s white-pink blooms have a wonderful aroma.
Height: 3-5’
Bloom time: Jun - Aug
Sunlight requirements: Full sun
Wetness: medium wet - medium dry
From wildflower.org: “According to the Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants or Edible Wild Plants, common milkweed is edible only under certain circumstances. Boiling can eliminate the bitter taste and toxicity of the sap, but this must be done very carefully to avoid the toxins. Eating milkweed is not recommended.
Native Americans used this species as a source of fibers and during the Second World War children in the northern states were encouraged to collect the seed pods that were processed for the coma, or floss, which was used for flotation in life vests. Today the coma is harvested for use in pillows and comforters.”
Common Milkweed is well known as a host plant of the iconic Monarch butterfly, but this species attracts a wide number of bees, butterflies, and other insects. It’s white-pink blooms have a wonderful aroma.
Height: 3-5’
Bloom time: Jun - Aug
Sunlight requirements: Full sun
Wetness: medium wet - medium dry
From wildflower.org: “According to the Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants or Edible Wild Plants, common milkweed is edible only under certain circumstances. Boiling can eliminate the bitter taste and toxicity of the sap, but this must be done very carefully to avoid the toxins. Eating milkweed is not recommended.
Native Americans used this species as a source of fibers and during the Second World War children in the northern states were encouraged to collect the seed pods that were processed for the coma, or floss, which was used for flotation in life vests. Today the coma is harvested for use in pillows and comforters.”
