Milkweed butterfly

Want to help monarch butterflies? Be careful when selecting your milkweed. Not all plants that go by the common name of "milkweed" are the food that these butterflies need. Milkweed is both a food source and a host plant on which the monarch butterflies lay their eggs. Monarchs lay their eggs on the underside of the milkweed foliage.

When most people think of planting milkweed for monarch butterflies, they imagine common milkweed (A. syriaca) with its big, rounded leaves.

Did you know that the native red maple tree you bought from your local nursery may have originated with a clone collected in Florida? Or that the native meadow seed you planted likely was collected in the Midwest?So what does that matter? Over millennia, truly local plants have evolved to flourish in the local conditions, and to harmonize with the local wildlife, Sefra Alexandra explains. These locally evolved plants are what scientists describe as ecotypes.

“😊cute”

Flowers on Friday is here, and today’s star is the beautiful **milkweed**—a monarch butterfly’s favorite hangout! 🦋🌸 Here are 5 fun facts to brighten your feed: 1️⃣ Milkweed is *THE* go-to plant for monarch butterflies—they lay their eggs exclusively on it! 2️⃣ This plant isn’t just for butterflies—milkweed has been used by humans for its silky fibers to make everything from pillows to life jackets. 3️⃣ Despite its pretty looks, milkweed contains a natural defense—it’s slightly toxic to…

Bright orange wildflower, host to Monarch butterflies

Found on prairies, open woods and hillsides; No milky latex; Medicinal purposes - Pleurisy and other medicinal benefits to early indigenous people and early ...

Photo about a Monarch butterfly sipping milkweed nectar being attacked by another Monarch butterfly. Image of bloom, leffanta, flower - 34788221

Butterflies and host plants