https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Common_Milkweed 2026-04-11T14:54:11Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.35.3 https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Common_Milkweed&diff=2664&oldid=prev 2007-04-10T08:59:20Z

<p></p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Taxobox<br /> | color = lightgreen<br /> | name = Common Milkweed<br /> | image = Asclepias syriaca.jpg<br /> | image_width = 240px<br /> | regnum = [[Plantae]]<br /> | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]<br /> | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]<br /> | ordo = [[Gentianales]]<br /> | familia = [[Apocynaceae]]<br /> | subfamilia = [[Asclepiadoideae]]<br /> | genus = ''[[Asclepias]]''<br /> | species = '''''A. syriaca'''''<br /> | binomial = ''Asclepias syriaca''<br /> | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]<br /> }}<br /> <br /> '''Common Milkweed''' (''Asclepias syriaca'') is a species of [[milkweed]], native to most of [[North America]] east of the [[Rockies]], with the exception of the drier parts of the [[Prairies]]. It grows in [[sand]]y [[soil]]s and appreciates lots of [[sunlight]]. It was one of the earliest [[North America]]n species described in [[Jacques Philippe Cornut|Cornut's]] [[1635]] ''[[Canadensium plantarum historia]]''. The specific [[epithet]] was reused by Linnaeus due to Cornut's confusion with a species from [[Asia Minor]].<br /> <br /> [[Image:Asclepias syriaca1.jpg|thumb|left|Close-up of flowers]]<br /> Common milkweed is a [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]] growing from a [[rhizome]] to 1-2 m tall. The stem is very [[trichome|hairy]], and all parts of the plants produce a white [[latex]] when broken. The leaves are opposite, simple broad ovate-lanceolate, 7-25 cm long and 3-12 cm broad, usually with an undulate [[margin]] and a red-colored main [[vein]]. They have a very short [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]] and a velvety underside.<br /> <br /> The [[flower]]s are grouped in several spherical [[umbel]]s with numerous flowers in each umbel. The individual flowers are small, 1-2 cm diameter, perfumed, with five cornate hoods. The [[seed]]s are attached to long, white flossy hairs and encased in large [[follicle]]s.<br /> <br /> ==Uses==<br /> [[Image:Milkweed4043.JPG|thumb|right|Seed pods]]<br /> [[Image:Milkweed1.JPG|thumb|right|Seed pods gone to seed]]<br /> The plant's latex contains large quantities of [[glycoside]]s, making the leaves and pod bark [[toxic]] for [[sheep]], and potentially humans (though large quantities of the foul-tasting parts would need to be eaten). However, the young [[shoot]]s, young [[leaves]], flower [[bud]]s and fresh [[fruit]]s are all edible. It is important not to confuse young shoots with those of the toxic [[Apocynum androsaemifolium|Spreading Dogbane]].<br /> <br /> Failed attempts have been made to exploit [[rubber]] (from the [[latex]]) and [[fiber]] (from the seed's [[floss]]) production from the plant industrially. The floss was nonetheless used for [[stuffing]]. However, the plant has been explored for commercial use of its [[bast]] (inner bark) fiber which is both strong and soft. [[U.S. Department of Agriculture]] studies in the 1890's and 1940's found that Milkweed has more potential for comercial processing than any other indigineous bast fiber plant, with estimated yields as high as hemp and quality as good as flax. Both the bast fiber and the floss were used historically by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] to weave fine fabrics.<br /> <br /> The flowers often constitute small traps for insects who cannot take off again. Several [[insect]]s live off the plant, including the [[Monarch Butterfly]] (''Danaus plexippus''), the [[Milkweed Beetle]] (''Tetraopes tetraophtalmus''), [[Small Milkweed Bug]] (''Lygaeus kalmii'') and [[Milkweed Leaf Beetle]] (''Labidomera clivicollis'').<br /> <br /> Deforestation due to European settlement may have expanded the range and density of milkweed. The plant can become invasive and often acts as a [[weed]]. It is naturalized in several areas outside of its native range, including [[Oregon]] and parts of [[Europe]]. &lt;br clear = left&gt;<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> {{Commons|Asclepias syriaca}}<br /> * [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ASSY Common Milkweed page] from the [http://plants.usda.gov/ Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database]<br /> * {{cite book | author=Lamoureux, Gisèle and al | title=Plantes sauvages des villes et des champs | publisher=Fleurbec/Éditeur officiel du Québec | year=1978 | id=ISBN 2-920174-00-2}}<br /> * {{cite book | author=Lamoureux, Gisèle and al | title=Plantes sauvages comestibles | publisher=Fleurbec | year=1981 | id=ISBN 2-920174-03-7}}<br /> * {{cite book | author=Brother Marie-Victorin | title=Flore Laurentienne | publisher=Les Presses de l'Université de Montréal | year=1975 | id=ISBN 0-8405-0018-1}}<br /> * {{cite book | author=Buchanan, Rita | title=A Weaver's Garden | publisher=Interweave Press, Inc | year=1987 | id=ISBN 0-934026-26-9}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Flora of Canada|Milkweed, Common]]<br /> [[Category:Apocynaceae]]</div>

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