What is the local name for milkweed?
Asclepias syriaca, commonly called common milkweed, butterfly flower, silkweed, silky swallow-wort, and Virginia silkweed, is a species of flowering plant. It is native to southern Canada and much of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, excluding the drier parts of the prairies. Description Milkweeds are erect perennial herbs which have either 6-12 cm broad, veined leaves or narrow linear leaves seldom more than 2-4 cm wide, arranged either alternately or in whorls. Most species (except A.Despite milkweed’s toxicity, there are many creatures other than monarchs that eat the leaves of this amazing plant. Deer and rabbits have been reported to eat milkweed leaves, and there are many other insects that feed on milkweed such as milkweed bugs, tussock moths, queen butterfly larvae, and more.Female monarchs will lay eggs on all nine milkweed species, but they prefer some over others. Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (A. Monarch caterpillars hatching from eggs laid on tall green milkweed (A.Milkweeds – plants in the Asclepias genus – support the Monarch caterpillars, and the adult butterflies need plenty of nectar sources, blooming from spring through fall. Late season flowers, such as asters and goldenrods, are a critical source of nectar for the Monarch migration to Mexico in the fall.While milkweed is beneficial to monarch populations, people need to be aware that it is toxic and can be lethal to animals, particularly horses and other equines. Common milkweed (left) is often grown as an ornamental because it is an important food source for monarch butterflies (right).
Where does Swamp Milkweed grow best?
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata L. As a tall herbaceous moisture-loving perennial, Swamp milkweed seeks sunny openings of swamps, marshes, bogs, fens, and open areas along stream banks and ditches. Milkweed can grow well in pots. As a perennial, this plant is more common in a bed or border, but both native Milkweed and tropical Milkweed can grow in pots or containers. This plant has an upright growth habit, making it an excellent option for a large container on a deck or patio.Milkweeds are perennial plants, which means an individual plant lives for more than one year, growing each spring from rootstock and seeds rather than seeds alone. In the Midwest, milkweeds were historically common and widespread on prairies, but habitat destruction has reduced their range and numbers.Compared to its common and showy counterparts, swamp milkweed’s leaves are narrower and its flower clusters are more delicate and compact. Once you settle on your milkweed types, you may be able to find them via a local or regional nursery. Try the Xerces Society’s Milkweed Seed Finder to see what’s nearby.Milkweed Flowers are Food The entire inflorescence, known botanically as an “umbel”, is edible. That includes the green unopened buds or the fully opened, bright pink and magenta flowers, as well as the stems that connect them.
Can humans drink milkweed?
Eating milkweed, even when it is cooked or boiled, is not recommended and is potentially very dangerous. Generalized medicinal uses for milkweed species include 1) its use in a salve for scrofulous swelling, 2) as a diarrhea medicine, 3) drunk by mothers unable to produce milk, 4) medicine for snow blindness and other forms of blindness, 5) relief of sore throat, 6) applied chewed root for swelling and rashes, 7) to expel .While milkweed can be used as a topical pain reliever it is very important to note that it is for topical use ONLY as it is indeed mildly toxic.Medicinal Uses In 1892, Charles Millspaugh recorded the early medical history of butterfly milkweed, also known as pleurisy root. He stated that it is a proven remedy for certain forms of dry coryza, indigestion, colic, diarrhea, dry coughs, pleurisy, rheumatic pains, and some skin affections (1974, p.
What is milkweed used for?
Ethnobotanic: Milkweed has been used for fiber, food, and medicine by people all over the United States and southern Canada. Fibers from the stems of milkweed have been identified in prehistoric textiles in the Pueblo region. Tewa-speaking people of the Rio Grande still make string and rope from these fibers. Milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides, naturally occurring drugs that increase the force of heart contraction and have been used to treat heart conditions. Cardiac glycosides also have potential anti-cancer application; in the lab, they exhibit properties toxic to cancer cells.Although many milkweeds contain resinoids, most of the ones that cause fatal poisonings contain cardenolides (cardiac glycosides). These cardenolides are similar to digoxin causing electrolyte balances in heart muscle resulting in arrhythmias and cardiac failure.Milkweed species as a group are known to contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to humans and livestock, as well as other substances that may account for their medicinal effect. Resinoids, glycosides, and a small amount of alkaloids are present in all parts of the plant.
How aggressive is swamp milkweed?
Though not aggressive, swamp milkweed competes well and adds a nice splash of color to midsummer landscapes. It makes a great garden plant in sufficiently moist sites, preferring full sun to part shade. It will tolerate mesic upland locations — even clay soils that are watered regularly when conditions are dry. As its name suggests, Swamp Milkweed thrives in moist to wet soil conditions. However, it can also tolerate well-drained soils. Ensure your garden soil is rich in organic matter and has good drainage to prevent waterlogging, especially if you don’t have naturally moist conditions.Common Milkweed is a perennial plant with a unique floral fragrance that blooms June to August. This plant is also an important larval host to the Monarch Butterflies. Unlike Swamp Milkweed, this plant prefers sunny, open, dry areas and can often be found in ditches, meadows and roadsides.Milkweed does not like competition from other plants when it’s starting out. You’ll also want to make sure the soil around your seedling is free of debris, as milkweed love having warm soil.