Please Plant Milkweed to Support Monarch
While monarch butterflies drink nectar for nourishment from thousands of different species of native and cultivated flowers, the foliage of milkweed is the only food source on which monarch caterpillars can feed. Without milkweed, there will be no monarchs. Please realize that Milkweed contains toxic components that are poisonous to grazing animals, dogs, cats.
Monarchs Need MilkweedWhere to Purchase Seeds, Plants, Plugs
Ask your local nursery or seed company for Milkweed. Educate yourself about milkweed and the species native to your area. There are many beautiful species that add color, value and important habitat to your garden or yard.
Use the Xerces Society database for locating local seeds, plugs and plants in each state:
Milkweed Seed Finder
Detailed information on establishing Monarch Waystations in the Desert Southwest Region.
Seeds: The Live Monarch Foundation (a National Heritage not-for-profit foundation) will send 10+ Milkweed seeds and growing instructions for FREE, just send a self addressed stamped envelope to their address at the bottom of this page. A Save The Monarch donation is greatly appreciated which helps offset the cost of seed and plant distribution. They include a donation receipt with the seeds which is a record of this tax deductible gift. They typically send 50 seeds for each dollar donated. These same seed packs sell all over the web for $2 - $4 per 10 seeds). They send out Asclepias Curassavica (tropical milkweed / red and yellow flowers). It is a favorite egg laying plant which grows quickly and will sprout many seed pods. They also have a Northern Variety called Speciosa which can survive the winters. Request the type you want.
Send a self addressed, stamped envelope for FREE seeds to: Live Monarch Foundation – Seeds 3003-C8 Yamato Road #1015 Boca Raton, Florida 33434 OR visit their website
http://www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds.htm
Milkweed Regions USA
To make is simple six regions in the USA are identified with the species that grows in that area. This restoration, establishment of native species helps provide homes or crucial native habitat for the butterflies and also is mutual beneficial to other pollinators. To view or download the map, names, photos of specific milkweed please visit: milkweed information sheet This is a list of milkweed species prioritized in your region that are known to be used by monarchs.
Additionally This Map Identifies Areas Where Specific Species of Native Milkweed in the USA http://bonap.net/NAPA/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Asclepias
Selecting and Finding Milkweed Plants
Milkweed can be grown in garden settings, please use species that are native to your area. Please try to find plants and seeds grown as close as possible to where you’ll be planting
them. You can find more information about milkweed and see a directory of native plant vendors that sell milkweed plants and seeds here: www.plantmilkweed.org
Please follow this link for additional information on pollinator friendly farming Farming for Bees: Guidelines for Providing Native Bee Habitat on Farms created by the Xerces Society.
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| Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) One species of Milkweed |
Resource Material from: www.Glorious-butterfly.com
Common Milkweed Asclepias Syriaca
This is an invasive plant that sends runners underground. A common mistake is to plant this variety.Instead Use These:
Swamp Milkweed Asclepias Incarnata
After realizing my mistake of planting common milkweed in my garden, I did some research and bought some perennial Swamp Milkweed. This is a nice garden perennial and its flowers are a favorite nectar source for many butterflies.
Tropical Milkweed Asclepias Curassavica
My other favorite milkweed is Tropical or Scarlet Milkweed. This is an annual in the colder climates. I start Tropical or Scarlet Milkweed from seed (check out my easy directions on the link above) and put plenty of plants in my garden.
Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
This perennial milkweed plant is another popular plant that attracts monarch butterflies. Check out more detailed information on these butterfly garden plants.
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MILKWEED
All parts of the Milkweed Plant are toxic and Poisonous to grazing animals, dogs, cats.
Poisonous to: Cats, Dogs
Level of toxicity: Generally moderate to severe
Common signs to watch for:
- Drooling
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abnormal heart rate
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Weakness
- Collapse
- Dilated pupils
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Death
Several types of plants contain naturally-occurring poisons that affect the heart, specifically cardenolides or bufadienolides. These poisons are called cardiac glycoside toxins, and they interfere directly with electrolyte balance within the heart muscle. The following plants are known to contain glycosides (please see specific plant for more information):
The toxins within these plants are similar to digitalis or digoxin, a common heart medication used in both human and veterinary medicine. The level of poisoning varies with the particular plant, part of the plant, and amount consumed. All parts of the plant are generally considered toxic – even the water in the vase has been reported to cause toxicosis. 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). In severe cases, an expensive antidote, digoxin-specific Fab fragments, can be used for severe, life-threatening cases.
Poison type: Plants
Scientific name: Asclepias spp.
Alternate names: Giant milkweed, cardiac glycoside, Asclepias
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As always please avoid using insecticides which are fatal to butterflies as well as many beneficial pollinators such as bees.
#savemonarchbutterflies #plantmilkweed #nativemilkweed #milkweedseeds
SAVE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
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