 |
It is the sole Monarch butterfly food source. There are over 100 species of milkweed in North America. They are members of the genus Asclepias. The thick, white milk (sap) of the milkweed contains lethal cardenolides (heart poisons). They produce vomiting and sometimes death if eaten by a predator. The Monarch’s tissues are miraculously not harmed by the chemicals which normally effect the nervous system. 
This means the Monarch:
The Monarch’s total dependency on milkweed also means “no milkweed......no Monarch”. 
SWAMP MILKWEED..............TROPICAL MILKWEED When I first decided to plant a Butterfly Garden, I read that you needed milkweed to attract Monarch butterflies. So...I planted some Common Milkweed. BIG MISTAKE!! 
This is an invasive plant that sends runners underground and shows up all over the place. It can look quite "weedy", also.Years later, I am still occasionally pulling this pest out of my garden. Here is a picture of a mature Common Milkweed plant (right). Common Milkweed works fine for raising butterflies with kids (or yourself!) when you don't have any milkweed in your garden. It is usually easy to find in roadside ditches or weedy areas. Check out the leaves for eggs or caterpillars to bring home and raise. Don't forget that you will need a supply of leaves to feed the caterpillar. I quickly realized my mistake, did some research and bought some perennial
Swamp Milkweed.
As long as I have a good supply of both of these milkweeds . . . .the Monarchs will come!! I will go into further detail on my two favorites from the milkweed family of plants in links to follow, including more photos of milkweed.
Home |Raise Monarchs |Milkweed |Butterfly Garden |Nectar Plants |Monarch Migration Raise Swallowtails |Kids and Butterflies |Butterfly Photos |My Story |Contact Us
|
