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Milkweed

Asclepias... The Milkweed "is a genus of herbaceous perennial, dicotyledonous plants that contain over 140 known species."

 

"Milkweed is named for its milky juice..." (found in the stem of the plant)

 

"Milkweeds are an important nectar source for bees and other nectar seeking insects and a larvae food source for monarch butterflies and their relatives....."

 

Milkweeds "... grow their seeds in pods.  These pods contain soft filaments... attached to individual seeds.  When the seed pod ripens, the seeds are blown by the wind... "

 

These milkweed filaments or floss are coated with wax, and have good insulation qualities. Tests have shown them to be superior to down feathers for insulation. During WWII, over 11 million pounds (5000 t) of milkweed floss were collected in the United States as a substitute for kapok.

 

In the past, the high dextrose content of the nectar led to milkweed's use as a source of sweetener for Native Americans and voyageurs.

Milkweed is a common folk remedy used for removing warts. Milkweed sap is applied directly to the wart several times daily until the wart falls off.  Dandelion sap is often used in the same manner.

 

source and last photo:  http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkweed
COMMENTS
Leeuwjan said at 1:49 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Green fodder??
Tishfish said at 2:05 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
A plant?
YorkJodi said at 2:14 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Sort of... ;) Would it be impossible to guess what part of which one??
Rjesse said at 2:23 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
a cactus?
Moabjeeper said at 2:31 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
No idea.
Tishfish said at 3:16 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
It looks like vines that used to have flowers.
SFMatMan said at 3:19 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Is it a thistle?
YorkJodi said at 3:21 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Nope... good guesses but all wrong... Is this too hard?? Impossible??
SFMatMan said at 3:31 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
I think I recognize it... but I can't figure out what.... is it the stalk of a black-eyed-susan?
Keeli said at 4:22 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Hmmm, even with the entire photo I haven't a clue. I have never seen it before.
SFMatMan said at 4:27 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Oh it's a milkweed, isn't it?!
YorkJodi said at 4:31 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Yes... the young man from Nebraska gets the win... having seen these growing up... ;)
Tishfish said at 4:41 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
I haven't seen them before.
Bethe27 said at 6:36 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
I have spotted a small group of these on my way to work. When the pods are opening I am going to gather me a few. Have you heard the 'juice' from the plant will get rid of warts?? Amazing which plants have medicinal qualities.
SFMatMan said at 7:00 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
The juice is actually latex and is somewhat toxic (probably why it works on warts). Parts of the plant are also edible, but need to be fully cooked to remove any toxicity. (I read it on Wikipedia :) )
Maz2001 said at 10:49 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Beautiful images and great lesson learned. Thank You.
Noe said at 11:35 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
Very nice! =)
Lifequest22 said at 11:50 p.m. on Aug 11, 2008:
I planted milkweed--different variety than yours-- in my yard for the monarchs, and now it's popping up in different areas of the yard.
Swedfinn said at 2:55 a.m. on Aug 12, 2008:
veery interesting plant and information. änd useful in so many ways.
Msisongkram said at 6:01 a.m. on Aug 12, 2008:
Very interesting and kind of unique plant.
Shenresi said at 9:21 a.m. on Aug 12, 2008:
wonderful interesting this strange plant !
Chaitiamma said at 12:31 p.m. on Aug 12, 2008:
Have never seen this before.
Candlepower said at 5:08 p.m. on Aug 12, 2008:
A beautiful plant actually too bad its listed as a weed. Great Tabblo!
Babooshka said at 1:12 p.m. on Aug 14, 2008:
I guess Iguess..... Iguess I was too late to guess...

Nice plant, it's a plant I've never heard of before...
Ira said at 2:44 p.m. on Aug 29, 2008:
Interesting and unusual plant
PhytoMedx said at 8:01 a.m. on Nov 12, 2008:
This company (<a href="http://www.phytomedx.com">PhytoMedx</a>) actually sells a wart remover cream that contains Milkweed Milk. It works!
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