Common Milkweed
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Common Milkweed
Genus:
Asclepias
Species:
A. syriaca
Binomial name
Asclepias syriacaL.
Common Milkweed (Butterfly flower, Silkweed, Silky Swallow-wort, Virginia Silkweed;Asclepias syriaca) is a species of milkweed, native to most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, with the exception of the drier parts of the Prairies. It grows in sandy soils and appreciates lots of sunlight. Several insects live off the plant, including the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), the Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetraophtalmus), Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) and Milkweed Leaf Beetle (Labidomera clivicollis).
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go for a walk, just me & my camera. I had come to photograph all the insects that were on the milkweed plants. This is a plant that many of us should consider adding to our flower beds, not because it is a showstopper but because it is the sole food source for the Monarch Butterfly. Unfortunetly the Monarch Butterfly population is decling and they may become extinct in the next seven years! Maybe if enough of us use less pesticides and plant food plants for caterpillars and butterflies we can keep that from happening. I know I will be adding this plant to my yard and hope maybe some of you will too. Many other insects, including several species of butterflies seem to enjoy this plant also.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Common Milkweed
Genus:
Asclepias
Species:
A. syriaca
Binomial name
Asclepias syriacaL.
Common Milkweed (Butterfly flower, Silkweed, Silky Swallow-wort, Virginia Silkweed;Asclepias syriaca) is a species of milkweed, native to most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, with the exception of the drier parts of the Prairies. It grows in sandy soils and appreciates lots of sunlight. Several insects live off the plant, including the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), the Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetraophtalmus), Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) and Milkweed Leaf Beetle (Labidomera clivicollis).
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go for a walk, just me & my camera. I had come to photograph all the insects that were on the milkweed plants. This is a plant that many of us should consider adding to our flower beds, not because it is a showstopper but because it is the sole food source for the Monarch Butterfly. Unfortunetly the Monarch Butterfly population is decling and they may become extinct in the next seven years! Maybe if enough of us use less pesticides and plant food plants for caterpillars and butterflies we can keep that from happening. I know I will be adding this plant to my yard and hope maybe some of you will too. Many other insects, including several species of butterflies seem to enjoy this plant also.
