Monarch butterfly feeding on a milkweed plant at Big Meadow in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA. The inner whorl is known as the corolla, above that is the corona, and the outermost whorl of sepals is the calyx. Click here for our personalized seedpacks. There are many “biotic” interactions involving these insects, so the plant has been studied extensively as a microcosm of ecological principles. Good news, nature enthusiasts! Pictured here is a white species called poke milkweed or tall milkweed. If you can not find a local suplier or resource become one. There are over a hundred different milkweed varieties in the United States. Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa Clasping milkweed, Asclepias amplexicaulis Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca Fourleaf milkweed, Asclepias quadrifolia Green Antelopehorn, Asclepias viridis Green comet milkweed, Asclepias viridiflora Horsetail milkweed, Asclepias subverticillata Longleaf milkweed, Asclepias longifolia. Pocius, V.M., Debinski, D.M., Pleasants, J.M., Bidne, K.G. They require different habitats–swamp milkweed tolerates wetter soil, clay, and some shade while butterfly-weed tolerates dry/poor soil and drought but prefers full sun. You still have to break the translator arm though in order to fly on your way. If you imagined yourself as a butterfly, those delicate legs would have had a low success rate in removing the pollinia. When the flowers of summer wane, pollinators move on to late bloomers, such as the mistakenly maligned native thistles. I only recommend planting milkweed that is native to your area. I will do my best to note this, but laws and classifications change from time to time, so you might want to check with your local town, municipality, or province to see which milkweeds are safe to plant, and which are not allowed. You can rid yourself of these sacs during a flower visit if a pollinium slips into a stigmatic slit where the stigmatic chamber is empty. Back in April I posted an image of a Sphex sp. Unlike most flowers whose pollen grains are loose and powdery, the pollen of milkweeds and orchids is bound together and transferred in a single unit, a pollinium. Free Milkweed plant with every plant order placed this month!!! ), and native thistle so they have the energy they need to make the journey. Its elongated blooms are white with a tinge of purple at the base. I can enjoy them just the way they are! http://www.invitationtothegarden.WordPress.com, Follow VIRGINIA WILDFLOWERS on WordPress.com. Imagine being a pollinator drawn to a fragrant flower that offers abundant nectar. From your pictures, I can see why this milkweed is called “poke weed” because the little hanging flowers look like tiny paper sacks! It is not as attractive to those with small gardens, however, as it can be unruly and spread very aggressively by rhizomes. Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica): Tropical milkweed, sometimes called blood flower, is not a native milkweed, nor is it hardy in the Mid-Atlantic. Ongoing research points to problems with this plant that are mounting as time goes by including increased presence of the deadly parasite OE, (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha). Monarchs migrate from the northeast through Northern Virginia in September and October on their … Laden Sie lizenzfreie "Blüten der Gemeinen Milkweed (oder Schmetterlingsblume, Seidenweed, Seidenschwalbenkraut, Virginia Silkweed) in Innsbruck, Österreich. contributors include: Committee Members: Leslie Cameron, Tyler Ormsby, Marilyn Thomson, & Rachel Vecchio Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. As such, milkweed is critical for the survival of monarchs. Many have adapted to different regions of the country and a wide range of climates and terrains, from deserts and rocky areas to marshes and open prairies. 2. In those studies, the prize for worst pollinator, but best nectar robber goes to the 865 American bumble bees (B. pensylvanicus) that visited Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) and extracted only four pollinia among them. Below is a list of different types of milkweed and their native regions. Female monarchs deposit their eggs on milkweed during the breeding season (late spring through summer in Northern Virginia) and their caterpillars devour the leaves as they grow. They require the sustenance of nectar-rich, late-season bloomers like asters (e.g., Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, S. oblongifolium), goldenrod (Solidago spp. If you require more Asclepias plants then you should (very) carefully take root cuttings in the spring. ( Log Out /  Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly weed - Leaves are food during the egg and larvae stages. In that case you might still be trapped inside the flower and will probably perish. It prefers full sun and can be grown in a wide range of soil conditions. They attract butterflies and a … Allow the collected seeds to dry for a week or two, then store your milkweed seed pods in the garage, a refrigerator, or a cool dry place indoors. Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years! Tall green milkweed is not commonly grown in gardens, but can be found in prairies, meadows, and wildflower fields. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. During this time, adult monarchs may feed on milkweed flowers, but they usually have many other nectar choices. Just enter your email address below and click "sign me up" to get notified of new updates to our site via email. Rather than make assumptions about where milkweed occurs, researchers conducted a census. However, this is not a native milkweed to the United States so I do not recommend planting this. Drooping umbels arise from the upper leaf axils, Leaves are simple, broadly elliptic, with smooth edges, Poke Milkweed: 5 petals that bend backwards around a central crown of 5 incurved “hoods”; each has a horn that is longer than the hood. Let me know please at pineoakes@gmail.com. A. syriaca is said to be the most fragrant milkweed and produces nectar both day and night, which is extremely attractive to pollinators. The majority of these are available at native plant nurseries. In addition to writers & photographers credited through bylines (Mary Free, Judy Funderburk, Elaine Mills, Christa Watters & Susan Wilhelm), Webmaster: Elena Rodriguez. After some additional research (i.e., I found a photo of a bee with similar things on its legs while surfing the Internet), it seems that those structures are milkweed pollinia and not parasitic growths. Consider Asclepias incarnata and Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly-weed), both of which are better behaved in smaller gardens. Some milkweed plants are listed as Class Number One noxious weeds in certain areas and should not be planted. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Flora of Virginia lists 15 members of the genus that are native to this state. The milkweed being discussed was the tropical variety most widely available in the usual stores, Asclepias curassavica, known commonly as Scarlet or Tropical milkweed. Virginia grows several milkweed species commonly found in fields and meadows growing wild. Amazon.com : 40 Asclepias Syriaca Common Milkweed Virginia Silkweed - Butterfly Flower Seed - Zone 3A - 9B ~!! ( Log Out /  They were, however, more successful pollinators when they visited other milkweed species. See the photo at right. Milkweeds exude a white, milky juice from broken or cut surfaces. Henrico County Virginia 2 Responses The best species of milkweed for monarch butterfly caterpillars is considered to be common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Unlike many other flowers that have two whorls, milkweeds have three whorled flowers. The milk can be toxic if ingested, although some people say that milkweed can be eaten if the plants are young and the cook who prepares them uses special precautions. Growing the plants will attract and feed these beautiful butterflies. Asclepias incarnata, swamp milkweed - Leaves are critical for the egg and larvae stages. Don’t cut milkweed until the end of September at the earliest. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on plants in the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae), usually on the underside of a leaf. If that is in a different flower of the same species, then you have achieved cross-pollination. Milkweeds (Asclepias) get their name from the sticky white sap that oozes from the leaves when they are damaged. Click here for more info. In choice experiments with four milkweed species, monarch “females laid 1.7 times more eggs on A. incarnata than on Asclepias syriaca…, 14.9 times more eggs than on A. tuberosa…Females laid nine times more eggs on A. syriaca than on A. tuberosa.” (Pocius, 2018), Monarch butterfly on Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed) in July. At the time I suspected the weird things were fungal growths. This list does not contain all varieties of milkweed, just the best kinds of milkweed to support monarchs in your region. Asclepias syriaca, commonly called common milkweed, butterfly flower, silkweed, silky swallow-wort, and Virginia silkweed, is a species of flowering plant. Poke milkweed flowers follow this pattern, and in this case, the horns are longer than the hoods. Whether you call it Asclepias or milkweed, the genus consists of more than 100 species of evergreen or deciduous, clump-forming or spreading perennials. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed, the only host plant for this iconic butterfly species. Description. And what a coincidence your post is for me! Photo © 2020 Mary Free, In experiments with nine milkweed species, monarch egg counts were highest on Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed). Of those 15 species, A. tuberosa and A. incarnata tend to be the most commonly grown in the ornamental garden. wasp with some odd structures on its legs. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! They become poisonous themselves if eaten by predators. The slit is lined with bristles that restrict your movements so that the only way out is up. Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa Clasping milkweed, Asclepias amplexicaulis Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca Fewflower milkweed, Asclepias lanceolata Fourleaf milkweed, Asclepias quadrifolia Green comet milkweed, Asclepias viridiflora Longleaf milkweed, Asclepias longifolia. Eastern tiger swallowtail and a bumble bee feed on Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) at the Monarch Waystation in historic Ball-Carlin Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia in June. It grows 3 to 6 feet in height and bears large, smooth leaves that are opposite and broadly elliptic in shape. ), then you will find yourself carrying pollen-filled, saddlebag-like sacs (paired pollinia attached to the corpusculum by translator arms). Britt.) Pawpaw has nodding, leathery, cup-shaped flowers w, Pawpaw is a small, short-trunked tree or multi-ste, Master Gardener Organizations in Virginia, Teaching Garden at Fairlington Community Center, Master Gardener Tribute Garden at Fairlington Community Center, Organic Vegetable Garden at Potomac Overlook Regional Park, Educational Videos from Glencarlyn Library Community Garden, Tried & True Native Plants for the Mid-Atlantic, Planting Dates for Arlington and Alexandria, Select On-Line References for Kitchen Gardening, Gardening Basics for Arlington & Alexandria, VA, Community Gardens in Arlington & Alexandria, Between the Rows – A Guide to Vegetable Gardening, Creating Inviting Habitats for the Birds, Butterflies & Hummingbirds, The Perils of Pollinia and More about Milkweed , In experiments with nine milkweed species, Insect Pollinators of 12 Milkweed (Asclepias) Species, Milkweed Pollination Biology (Asclepias spp.). Note the 5 petals that are bent backwards and the 5 white hoods, each bearing a single white, curved “horn” that is longer than the hood. in Virginia Kevin W. Bradley, Postdoctoral Research Associate Paul Davis, Extension Agent Edward S. Hagood, Jr., Extension Weed Scientist; Virginia Tech Table 1. Asclepias purpurascens (Purple Milkweed) in particular is classified as Imperiled in Virginia (VA_DCR), and because it is a host plant for Monarchs, protecting the plant is an important part of conserving the natural habitat of Huntley Meadows Park. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. South Central Ecoregions include: 255, 315, 311, 251, 331, and 332. Photo © Henry Staples and Claudia Gerwin. Monarch egg counts were higher when more than one species was present. I had listed only about seven of the more prominent ones that I know about. A leafcutter bee (Megachile) carrying pollinia. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)grows 1-3 feet tall and has flat-topped clusters of orange flowers. Would you like to give seed packs to all your friends and family? 7. Monarchs migrate from the northeast through Northern Virginia in September and October on their way back to Mexico. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I hope that you enjoyed this guide on Asclepias. Milkweed Plant Varieties for Butterflies. Monarch butterflies do not place all of their eggs in one basket: oviposition on nine Midwestern milkweed species. Pink blossoms provide nectar from July through August. South and West Texas are home to numerous milkweed species but their use by monarchs is not well documented. In addition, milkweed is famous for the community of other insects (especially beetles and spiders) that exclusively make the milkweed plant their home. …that is unless you pictured yourself as a small pollinator. During this time, adult monarchs may feed on milkweed flowers, but they usually have many other nectar choices. Asclepias exaltata There are several species of milkweed in our area; the flowers might be pink, red, orange, green or white. When the plant is in bloom, drooping umbels of white flowers emerge from the upper leaf axils. In your hurry to sip from the nectar pool, you falter on the flower’s slippery, uneven surface and your leg slips into a crevice (the stigmatic slit). Editors: Steven Bell, Margaret Brown, Brigitte Coulton, Kimberly Marsho, Marsha Mercer,  & Christa Watters Share your knowledge, plants and seeds. A. incarnata (swamp milkweed) which is mostly limited to river bottoms and A. tuberosa (butterfly weed) which can be found along roadsides and in some grasslands are also used by monarchs. It may self-seed here. Asclepias eriocarpa. 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