Blooming now along the trails up here in the woods. Fourleaf Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia). Host plant to the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus).
This Milkweed is native to the eastern United States and Canada. In this picture you can see how it has gotten a couple of its common names. The Fourleaf Milkweed, with its four leaves in a whorl, and also Whorled Milkweed.
There are about 100 species of Milkweed in North America. The name Milkweed comes from the milky latex that is in their pods, leaves, and stems, making them unappetizing to animals that might otherwise eat the plant.
I’m captivated by the soft color of the blooms, they’re just thinking about being pink.
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2 responses to “A Milkweed Plant”
I love how your milkweed is just thinking about being pink! It is a pretty variety.
Good that you let people know to plant the variety of milkweed that is native to their region. Out in California on the coast, Narrow-leafed milkweed is the right choice.🦋
Hi Kathy! Wonderful to hear from you. Seems we have connections from way way back.
I love to find things that are in the native “gardens” of the woods, and let people know about them, either so they can identify a species, or what to look for if they haven’t seen it yet. I do my best to only chat about native plants around me, here in the mountains of central Virginia, but I must admit there are times when sentimentality overtakes my good intentions. Things that were in my Mom’s gardens (often not native) sometimes call to me!
Thanks bunches for reading my posts!
Bren