Milkweed emerges in disturbed areas, on the rivershore above the high water mark, and along the sides of paths looking weedy and primitive.   When the flowerheads start to emerge we are then reminded of the  showy exotic-looking flowers and we continue to watch for them.  

• Asclepias speciosa is a tall perennial in the dogbane family which grows up from rhizomes.
• The stems are hollow and if punctured they emit a poisonous milky juice.
• They have opposite veined oval/lanceolate leaves.
• All parts of the plant have greyish hairs.
• Flowers are borne in an umbrella-like shape.  
• Each floret has five pink/red/purple petals.

milkweed with pollinator

• After flowering, pods develop and whitish fluffy hairs will be dispersed by wind at the end of the season. 
• The resinous juice is poisonous to birds.   Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the stems and leaves and when they emerge, they feed on the plants, but they are immune to the poisons, an evolutionary advantage.
• Some First Nations peoples used the resins to treat external skin problems. 
• All photos taken by the author.   Click an image for a larger view and a caption. 

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