A Friend in Milkweed

The area of our property which is meadow like, has recently come alive. The different grasses have grown quite tall, butterflies, dragonflies, insects of all sorts, wildflowers, raspberries, deer mice, jumping mice (which bullfrogs apparently enjoy to eat), wild roses, and lots yet to be identified. The shades of green are beautiful, the sounds of crickets and tree frogs bringing it alive. One of our favorite meadow residents by far, is milkweed. What a fabulous plant!

The possibilities it holds, excite and amaze us. The different insects who gather on this thick, milky plant are incredibly diverse; monarch butterflies and milkweed bugs probably being the most well known. The different stages of it's growth; plant, flowering, seed pods, dying. Each one bringing different reasons to explore. We have been dissecting the plant, looking at it's parts under our microscope, watching the insects crawl over it, reminiscing the fun we have had with helping the pods spread their seeds.

Our exploring has uncovered some pretty cool information; the toxic effect on the monarch in particular;

Most species of milkweed are toxic to vertebrate herbivores due to the cardenolide alkaloids contained in the leaves and stems. When the monarch larva eats milkweed, they also eat the plants toxins, which build up in their wings and exoskeletons, making the larva and adults toxic to many potential predators. Vertebrate predators quickly learn to avoid monarchs. Consuming these poisons will leave a bad taste in the predator's mouth or in some cases make them vomit.
read more here

Some more resources we have been using

milkweed bugs and identifying them
different milkweed species
milkweed as a healer and a poison
a great article from Ranger Rick (a magazine I loved as a kid!)
the life milkweed provides for (great pics)
scientific activities


if you are feeling adventurous about canning, you might want to try some of these!
we thought our friend Ryan might want to try cooking the pods like this or this (as a side for wood sorrel)