Biological Name:
Asclepias spp.
Natural Habitat:
The natural habitat of Milkweed is likely a variety of environments, including fields, meadows, and roadsides, in temperate and tropical regions.
Description:
Milkweed is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family which also includes plants such as spurge and dogbane. Milkweed is an annual or perennial plant that produces small white or purple flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas milkweed is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where is the best place to plant milkweed?
A: Best growing practices suggest milkweeds be planted in the sunniest parts of your yard or garden. If you have a choice of soil, most milkweed species thrive in light, well-drained soils with seeds planted a quarter-inch deep.
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Q: Can I just scatter milkweed seeds?
A: You can sow milkweed seeds by scattering them on the soil surface 1/4-1/2 inch apart, and then cover them with about 1/4 inch of additional soil. Water the area frequently after planting until plants become established.
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Q: What month do you plant milkweed?
A: If you’ve been thinking about planting fall milkweed this season, November is the best time for most of us to complete this simple garden task. It’s too warm for the ground to be frozen but too cold for seeds to sprout before winter sets in.
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Q: Is milkweed toxic to dogs?
A: Is Milkweed Poisonous to Dogs? Milkweed sap is toxic to animals, including pets and horses, if consumed in large quantities. The ASPCA reports that milkweed can contribute to poisoning in dogs and cats. Cardiovascular warning signs from any kind of milkweed ingestion include abnormal heart rhythm and rate.
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Q: Does milkweed spread a lot?
A: Whorled milkweed is not an aggressive grower, but it does spread via underground rhizomes, so be prepared to give it lots of room.
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Q: How easily does milkweed spread?
A: Common Milkweed Can Spread Aggressively Anyone in its native range (zones 3 to 8) with space for a wildflower garden can consider common milkweed. But gardeners should be aware that this species is considered very aggressive. It spreads not only by seed but by underground rhizome, and can be very difficult to control.
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Q: What month does milkweed bloom?
A: Flowers occur in round clusters (inflorescence) about two inches in diameter, and bloom from June through August. Fruit: Milkweeds produce large seedpods (3 to 5 inches long) after flowering.
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Q: Where should you not plant milkweed?
A: It is not recommended to plant milkweed within 10 miles of the coast in central and northern California where milkweed did not occur historically. Instead, plant a variety of flowers native to your region that provide nectar from early spring through fall to support monarchs and other pollinators.
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Q: Why do farmers not like milkweed?
A: Milkweed has a reputation for encroaching on cropland where it can compete with crops for soil and light. The plant can also create a nuisance on ranchlands, as cattle can be poisoned when poor foraging conditions lead hungry cows to milkweed-concentrated areas as a last resort.
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Q: Is planting milkweed a good idea?
A: If you want monarch butterflies to visit your garden this fall and spring, planting milkweed in your landscape is a must! Not only is milkweed a great nectar source for thirsty pollinators, it is also THE ONLY host plant that monarch butterflies lay their eggs upon.
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Q: Does milkweed spread easily?
A: Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) The most common of the milkweed species, this plant has large, drooping pink flower clusters that attract a variety of pollinators. Common milkweed grows quickly and spreads fast, so it’s a great addition to any empty spaces in your yard that you’d like to brighten up.
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Q: Why is milkweed toxic?
A: Myth #4: Because milkweed is toxic, you shouldn’t plant it The milky sap for which it gets its name leaks out from the stem or leaves. This sap contains toxins called cardiac glycosides or cardenolides, which are toxic to animals if consumed in large quantities.
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Q: Is milkweed good for anything?
A: Although potentially poisonous, the plant has been used for medicinal purposes as well. Many indigenous tribes applied milkweed sap for wart removal and chewed its roots to treat dysentery. It was also used in salves and infusions to treat swelling, rashes, coughs, fevers and asthma.
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Q: What animal eats milkweed?
A: 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. Nectar and pollen from milkweeds are important food sources for many pollinators, in addition to monarch butterflies.
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Q: What happens if a dog eats milkweed?
A: Clinical signs from ingestion include cardiovascular signs (e.g., abnormal heart rhythm and rate), electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., a life-threatening high potassium level), gastrointestinal signs (e.g., nausea, drooling, vomiting, etc.), or central nervous system signs (e.g., dilated pupils, tremors, seizures).
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Q: Can milkweed hurt humans?
A: Milkweed plants contain cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and more when eaten. In severe cases, consuming Milkweed can be fatal for children. Even touching Milkweed plants can be a problem and may cause skin irritation.
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Q: Can milkweed hurt you?
A: There are actually two different toxins which can be present in milkweed. One is a neurotoxin and the other is a cardiac glycoside. They produce symptoms of colic, depression, lethargy, irregular heartbeat, dilated pupils, weakness, incoordination, convulsions, and death.
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Q: Will milkweed come back every year?
A: These native milkweed are perennials, meaning they come back year after year. Their aerial parts (flower, leaves, stem) die back but their rootstock remains alive throughout the winter. Cut back milkweed stalks in the late fall or winter, after they have produced seed pods and these seeds have had time to mature.
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Q: Do you cut milkweed down in the fall?
A: It is recommended to prune the milkweed stalks to about 6 inches in height during the fall and winter months to discourage monarchs from establishing winter-breeding colonies. Cutting back the milkweed will also help to eliminate OE spores that may be present on the plant.
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Q: Is milkweed poisonous to dogs?
A: Is Milkweed Poisonous to Dogs? Milkweed sap is toxic to animals, including pets and horses, if consumed in large quantities. The ASPCA reports that milkweed can contribute to poisoning in dogs and cats. Cardiovascular warning signs from any kind of milkweed ingestion include abnormal heart rhythm and rate.
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Q: Should I plant milkweed in my garden?
A: If you want monarch butterflies to visit your garden this fall and spring, planting milkweed in your landscape is a must! Not only is milkweed a great nectar source for thirsty pollinators, it is also THE ONLY host plant that monarch butterflies lay their eggs upon.
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Q: Will milkweed multiply?
A: Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a perennial plant that can be found in a wide range of habitats including roadsides, fields, and gardens. It is native to North America and reproduces primarily from seed. Once it is established it can spread from its rhizomatous root system.
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