I found a nice stand of milkweed growing in the field next to my driveway. I know they're host plants for monarch butterflies so I have no intention of cutting them down.
Does anyone have any interest in the seeds? I'll save them if any of you all need some.
Milkweed seeds worth saving?
Ive seen them traded alot so someone may want them I ve got plenty myself. You might ask in the butterfly forum if you dont get any hits here. :o)
Caren
Glad to find you! I was just getting ready to post a request for milkweed seed. I would like the native variety or any cultivated ones except A. incarnata which I already have. I don't need many - just whatever will go into a $0.37 cent envelope would be fine. I only need one plant really to get started - there will be more than I need in a year or so.
Would you like for me to D-Mail you and send a SASE?
Don't have any seeds yet, alyrics, but be glad to save some for you. This is asclepias syriaca.
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/ascsy.htm
This message was edited Jun 25, 2006 1:28 AM
Ok - my reason is providing milkweed for the Monarch butterflies to eat and lay eggs on. Is syriaca the right one? They have been using my A. incarnata the past few yrs.
This is what I found online:
The Monarch butterfly feeds on nectar form various flowers including milkweeds, Asclepias sp. In the picture below a monarch butterfly feeds on an Asclepias speciosa. This is a large milkweed that does very good in gardens. It has large showy flowers and large leaves.
Diet of the Monarch Butterfly Larva
The Monarch butterfly larva feeds on milkweeds. Some of their favorites are the Monarch Milkweed, Asclepias eriocarpa and the Narrow leaf milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis. Milkweeds contain toxins that make the adult poisonous to birds and other predators. Most insects can eat the monarch without effect. They are preyed upon by Stink bugs and Assassin bugs
good old fashioned roadside milkweed is what I need. Maybe I can find it out there also. The tough part is that all the roadsides around here are mowed - which has played a part in declining Monarch numbers.
Hi,
I have some common Milkweed seed to trade if anyone is interested. These are from last year so they should still be good.
HI rainyJane - I'll d-mail you. I just want a few in a SASE if thats ok. If you're up for trying some Tulipa clusiana Lady Jane - a species tulip I've just collected seed from that and can send it along. I don't have any other seeds yet.