I’m fascinated by milkweed. In summer, the plants bear pink flowers. In the fall and winter, the hard pods offer a textured outside with a smooth interior, while the seeds are attached to white fluff that can take off with the wind. I love the contrast and find them very photogenic.
What I like most about milkweed is that it provides nectar for a variety of butterflies, the monarch foremost among them. Hummingbird, hummingbird clearwing moths, bees, and a variety of insects also feed there.
The name milkweed derives from the milky substance the oozes from the stem or leaves if they’re damaged. Although the leaves are poisonous, the caterpillars of the monarch butterfly eat them safely, rendering them poisonous to predators. The large milkweed bug pictured below also feeds on the seeds, making them poisonous to predators as well. The damage the bugs do isn’t great, even though they swarm the plants. I managed to isolate just this one for the photo.
There are a number of varieties of milkweed. The one pictured below is the common milkweed or Asclepias syriaca. Despite their (to me) beauty and uses, milkweed propagate easily and can become a nuisance.
To view Sally’s thoughts and photos or to find the other photos linked to the “Macro” challenge this week, just click on the link.
This, that and the other thing 
This was the first year we had an invasion of milkweed bugs. There were a ton of them!
Here, too, Patti. It was difficult to get a shot without finding at least one bug in it and often there were so many the photo would seem like a photo of them, rather than the milkweed.
janet
Magnificent macro shot; I have always found so much pleasure in watching the seeds waft on fall breezes.
I feel the same way, Charlie.
janet
Nice photo, Janet. At first glance I thought those were chocolate chips.
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Don’t try baking with them, Allan. 🙂
Good advice. Milkweed is once again catching on here in NorCal. It is a native plant that is drought-tolerant and has many varieties. Our landscape is slowly changing to meet the demands of our climate.
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Stunning photo, Janet. I like milkweed for all the reasons you noted, but it certainly can take over. LOL I have an area where it pops up all over but that is okay. I get out the small lawn mower and trim around it. However, where it pops up in the front gardens I have been known to give it a yank. Of course, then I feel guilty. 🙂
Milkweed is invasive, Judy, and you have to yank it out when necessary. I like to go to wild places and see it…and then see butterflies or other insects on it.
janet
Very nice photo. At first glance, I thought it was sliced strawberries 🙂
🙂 Have a great Monday, Dan.
janet
Thanks for honoring one of the most important plants for the monarch butterfly. The milkweed is a fascination, and you’ve captured the delicacy of its seeds and seedpod. Happy Photo Challenge.
You’re very welcome, Sally. I would love to some day see these plants (and my butterfly bush) covered with monarchs and other butterflies!
janet
Oh, indeed…I was truly upset this past summer and last, I saw one or two monarchs. It’s of great concern. Keep planting the milkweed.
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Great photo and fascinating plant. Doesn’t grow in my area.
I love watching them through their different phases: flowering, seeds, hard shells. The fact that they’re food for so many wonderful critters makes it even better.
janet
Simply stunning, Janet. Your fascination with Milkweed is understandable and you make beautiful photos of it. This one is very special.
Thanks, Lucile. I’m so happy you like it.
janet
My pleasure, Janet.
Stunning photos – I do love your photos of the milkweed
Thanks! I love taking photos of them so I’m very glad you enjoy the results. 🙂
janet
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This perspective of the milkweed is gorgeous, Janet.
Many thanks, Angeline. I love their look from any distance, but up close is special.
What a beautiful macro shot, Janet.
Thanks so much, Patti! I appreciate reading that. Hope your Monday is going well.
Yes, thanks. You too…Mondays can be a bit tricky…:)
So far, mine’s been good and I’ve gotten a lot done. The trick now is to get off the laptop and keep at it, because there’s more that needs to be done. 🙂
Ahh…the black hole aka the laptop.
Gorgeous photo Janet and really cool information on milkweed. I didn’t know how much it helps butterflies.
Glad you enjoyed the whole thing, Nicole. Wouldn’t it be cool to see zillions of butterflies on all these plants? Maybe one day…
This is a stunning photo Janet!
Thanks so much, Gilly. If it conveys how beautiful the milkweed is, I’m happy. 🙂
janet
wow, that is such an amazing macro.
Glad you like it, Klara, and thanks for stopping by.
janet
This milk weed pod is gorgeous, as the details are very clear. That milkweed bug is so colorful I thought it might be a butterfly with its wings closed. Beautiful!
It’s hard to go wrong with a photo of milkweed, I think, and the bug was added, colorful beauty.
janet