The Milkweed Plant.
26th October 2020
Earlier on this year when we went to see a Rose Coloured Starling just north of Brecon the man who first reported the bird came out of his house to talk to us. He turned out to be a real butterfly expert and he and his wife were growing many different plants in their garden and green houses that were suitable for attracting butterflies. They were also keeping lots of caterpillars on various plants for the conservation of various species. He kindly gave Susan a milkweed cutting in a pot, he was using this plant to ‘Cultivate’ butterflies, including Monarchs in the past. This plant is a fundamental resource for Monarch Butterflies in North America because it is the only plant that both the butterflies and caterpillars can eat. Milkweed is quite toxic because of the Glycosides it contains and this toxin subsequently makes both the butterfly and caterpillar poisonous to potential predators. Monarch butterflies are in real trouble with their numbers crashing, and there is a big programme of milkweed cultivation, including in people’s gardens, in North America in an effort to reverse this decline.
When we were birding in Cape May, New Jersey, USA about fifteen years ago we saw a presentation by some butterfly experts on the Monarchs and there were hundreds hanging from some trees and some of them were being wing tagged to monitor their movements. They really are very impressive insects and to see a big movement, sometimes in the tens of millions must be some sight.
The milkweed cutting grew well outside in our garden during the rest of the summer and is now inside to protect it from potential frosts.
Because of the warm conditions indoors a few days ago the seed pods began to open to reveal a most attractive scene. The ‘Flax’ that surrounds the seeds and acts as a parachute to aid dispersal is so delicate and has a beautiful silver sheen.
Susan kept some seeds for next season to grow some new plants, so let’s all look forward to that time – good luck to everyone in the current difficult times.
When we were birding in Cape May, New Jersey, USA about fifteen years ago we saw a presentation by some butterfly experts on the Monarchs and there were hundreds hanging from some trees and some of them were being wing tagged to monitor their movements. They really are very impressive insects and to see a big movement, sometimes in the tens of millions must be some sight.
The milkweed cutting grew well outside in our garden during the rest of the summer and is now inside to protect it from potential frosts.
Because of the warm conditions indoors a few days ago the seed pods began to open to reveal a most attractive scene. The ‘Flax’ that surrounds the seeds and acts as a parachute to aid dispersal is so delicate and has a beautiful silver sheen.
Susan kept some seeds for next season to grow some new plants, so let’s all look forward to that time – good luck to everyone in the current difficult times.