Where does the milkweed plant get its name?
It leaks a thick, white sap when cut or broken that makes it look like it’s leaking milk. Common Milkweed – The Facts: Height: grows from 2-6 feet high. It usually has a single, simple stem. Leaves: are opposite, oval-shaped and 2-10 inches tall. The top surface of the leaf is smooth, but the bottom surface is hairy. Flowers: bloom from late June to August, pink to lavender in color, and are found in bunches. The main flower is actually a bunch of little flowers on the same stalk. Fruit: in the fall, flowers develop into seed pods. The pods have a warty outer skin filled with downy fluff that will carry the seeds on the wind like a parachute. A sure sign of summer in Wisconsin is when the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is in bloom. You’ll find this plant in fields, meadows, and along roadsides. If you find milkweed, you’re also likely to find monarch butterflies. Monarchs need milkweed to survive. The butterfly lays its eggs on milkweed plants. The growing larvae (caterpillars) ea
