Milkweed! Everything you need to know to find/identify plus little-known remarkable historical uses!

In this video, on a roadside walk, I teach you how to find and identify Common Milkweed! I will compare it side by side to look-a-like Dog Bane (Indian Hemp/Aposcynum cannabinium), as well. I break down the scientific name Asclepius syriaca and its relation to the Greek God of Medicine. The second part of its name relates to Carl Linnaeus' mistaken belief that it originated in Syria! This native plant is associated with over 250 insect species. I explain, that in addition to Monarch eggs and caterpillars, you may find milkweed beetles, milkweed bugs, tussock moth caterpillars and aphids as well. I discuss aposematic coloration of all these organism and how they incorporate the milkweed toxins (cardiac glycosides) in their bodies making them toxic, just like all monarch stages. I explain and show specific features of milkweed including, single, non-branching stem, opposite leaves, 5 petaled flowers and their arrangement, white sap from breaking leaves, up to 4 to 5 feet tall and other features. Toxic milkweed's fascinating history is revealed as well including uses as food, medicine, fiber and stuffing for life vests during World War II.

[@coltonboney9963]

Also a heads up: A lot of milkweed sold a box stores like lowes or home depot are treated with pesticides! Poor guys will start throwing up green and die. Its a good idea to grow them from seed or a local grower where you can verify pesticide use!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Oh nooooooo! Not surprised but...gosh! Who would think? Thanks for sharing!

[@jessica8998]

The very first batch of milkweed I bought from a local garden center in NJ was treated with "organic insecticides," and all my babies died. I had to learn the hard way, but now I have a hugh monarch waystation in my back yard, and I've already released 72 healthy monarchs this year. Just picked 30+ eggs this morning!! #savethemonarchs

[@bobadams8818]

PSA: Pesticides got into your soil? Check into inoculated biochar and sunflowers.... Sunflowers are truly amazing...

[@Wreinie]

Thank you, you have an infectious enthusiasm!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you!

[@lancebon2931]

I grew up in Western Pennsylvania back in the 1950's, milkweed grew everywhere. One of ,y favorite plants. For the past 41 years I have been a resident of San Juan Puerto Rico. Much to my delight we have the big mama of milkweed growing all over this island. Calotropis Procera or Sodom's Apple" I've seen this plant as tall as 10/ 12 feet. The flower clusters are about a foot in diameter, the seed pods are about the size of a large acorn squash. There is a non migratory Monarch butterfly that lives year round here. (just this very morning one large caterpillar was in my garage)

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi Lance! What fascinating share! wow...10 to 12 foot milkweeds..lol a dream! So cool you have non - migratory resident monarchs there! I recently found out New Zealand has a similar species too!

[@lancebon2931]

@@natureatyourdoor Hi Frank thanks for the reply. Have you googled the images, they say they can grow to 15 ft.I would like to send you a giant pod and a pressed leaf, so you could grow some in a green house. They are royalty.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

Great video. Growing the various species of Asclepias can be a great hobby. Back in my gardening days I used to cultivate over a dozen native species of Milkweed. I wish more people would grow the native species instead of the store bought Scarlet Milkweed, Asclepias curassavica. While people that grow this species may be doing it with the Monarch Butterfly's best interest at heart, they ultimately are hurting the species. Monarchs will generally seek out the same species of Milkweed that they hatched out on. So the ones that grow out on the curassavica will be looking for that species to lay their eggs on. And of course, during the great migrations, they will pass over large areas where this plant simply doesn't exist. The native Asclepias has a very wide range naturally and many times the Monarchs that grow out on curassavica will pass up this species. So it's always best to cultivate native plants as opposed to the curassavica.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Willswalkingwest for your insight and commentary. That is a really good point. I think Asclepias is not sexy enough for nurseries to promote. In fact the nature of the industry has really been about promoting exotics. I am a huge fan of Asclepias in gardens, fence rows and stands on properties. You raised some really good points. Thank you for contributing to the richness of our NAYD learning community. I look forward to hearing from you and your insight again!

[@spookyvegan1402]

I bought native milkweed To my area in Ny so I hope this helps the ones in my area 🌱🦋

[@jeremydehart7466]

I love native plants. I have done a lot of research on them, and it is something people need to know.👍

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! Wishing all nurseries...and box stores would push feature and educate re native plantings!

[@jeremydehart7466]

@@natureatyourdoor I agree, that would be a great idea Frank.✝️👈🏼❤️🇺🇸👍

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Wow!!! Awesome! Very informative! Thank You 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome! I hope you will continue to enjoy my channel...leave questions in comments any time!

[@juliannahealy5476]

Such wonderful memories doing this as a kid! Can't wait to do it with my own daughter :)

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! A great teaching moment and really just magical! Thanks for share!

[@Jimbojenkins]

Thank you for an informative video!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Appreciate your kind words Jimbo Jenkins! Send me questions anytime! Thanks for taking time to comment!

[@hannahspencer4058]

Great video! Going to share with my students soon!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Awesome! Tell me more...how will you use it..would grade or ages..where are you teaching! Thanks for share so happy it can be helpful...help youd

[@jasonscreativeadventures3900]

Thanks for the information!

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome Jason!

[@WildMeatLetsEat]

Nice video! I collect the pods every deer season... the seeds are fantastic for determining wind direction while in the stand or on the ground.

[@natureatyourdoor]

That is such a cool use of seeds! Of course...organic..part of forest...and can detect slightest breeze! Thsnks for sharing that!

[@shirleywies2782]

Truly enjoyed this informational video. Thank u. Growing milkweed now.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Shirley Wies! Hoping to add some follow up episodes on milkweed and monarchs in the August!

[@eddieslittlestack7919]

I really enjoyed your passion mr.

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome! Glad you get my enthusiasm!

[@zenithcruz8361]

Thank you.Now I know more about this plant.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thanks Zenth Cruz! 😄

[@MarshandMellow83]

"Monarch Habitat"...hmmm, might want to bring it up at a community meeting, or town hall? You could do a survey, get people interested...lots of ways to help...jmo

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! Great ideas! 💡!!

[@sweethomealabama4161]

Very helpful. 😊

[@harryhong5995]

Thanks for the information

[@natureatyourdoor]

My pleasure

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Very informative!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Andrea Greenhill! Thanks for taking time to comment. I apologize for late reply...some how I missed a bunch of comments and I am playing catch up now!

[@kurtcurtis2730]

Excellent presentation. Interesting tidbits. Subbed

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you so much Curtis! I think you will enjoy my channel!

[@bethyoung3654]

Great video! I see that you have lots of great videos! I'm subscribing!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Beth! I am so happy to,have you subscribing! I taught high school bio for 35 years...and retired with covid and started this as an outreach! Enjoying my new "classroom" and meeting my new students! :-) send me questions anytime!

[@user-wi4dz5it2q]

This video was so helpful 😊

[@natureatyourdoor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@silentlou4375]

New subscriber... love the wide span of knowledge provided here. I have some nice stands of both Milkweed & Dogbane and trying to learn more... I certainly came to the right place.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Silent Lou! Your comments mean very much to me! I seek to make every episode content rich and show how all interconnects! The joy and enthusiasm I show as I do a video is as if I am speaking to YOU as I make the video.

[@silentlou4375]

@@natureatyourdoor Yes, that certainly comes through in your videos. And FYI, funny that my Milkweed here are just blossoming now (and they get better every year, I’m so glad I learned to stop this insane thinking of anything wild as nuissance “weeds”). The number of flowers from a single plant is incredible and the scent is incredible. But I wanted to point out that as I watch the bees and butterflies, I’m also seeing hummingbirds regularly in the Milkweed… what an investment it has been to NOT mow this area and instead do nothing but observe and enjoy.

[@WisdombyExperience]

I grew some Asclepius Tuberosa this year. Pretty and tall and useful. Thought that might be good too. A Farmer down the road dedicates a small field to milkweed.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Love it!

[@franosbornblaschke3694]

So fun! Thanks Frank! : )

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome Fran! I try to make every episode fun!

[@shaheermughal5386]

this is gonna help me alot. thanks!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Glad it helped!

[@erichodgkin4229]

What a great video!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Eric! Hope to add some new milkweed / monarch videos in August! Appreciate you taking time to comment!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thanks Eric Hodgkin! Thanks for the support it translates directly into my enthusiasm for my next episode!

[@quiltedwithlove]

I never realized how many insects were out there (I know there are) until I planted (well, the birds dropped the seeds) sunflowers. I've never seen such giant sized ants, different species of bees, several butterflies (usually white), and other assorted bugs before. It's too bad my app sucks at identifying bugs. I wish you could have been my science teacher growing up, I'd have payed far more attention. Going for a walk down to the local park and see if my app or my eyes find some milkweed.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi again Bethany so fun and refreshing and rewarding reading your comments! The insect world is truly fascinating with seeming unlimited variation and adaptations. The more one sees and learns the more amazing they are! I d love to see photos of your inquiries ..yiu can share under visitor posts on my nature at your door Facebook page! Keep me posted! Send questions any time!

[@TheSuburbanGardenista]

Thanks so much for the great video - lots of great info! New subscriber here! Looking forward to learning more 🙂🦋🌸

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi Suburban Gardenista! Thanks for joining our nature investigative learning community! Questions always welcome!

[@smariegalski3641]

I love your videos!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you S. Marie Galaski! So glad it works for you! The energy and enthusiasm you see in my videos comes from you! Thanks for commenting and renewing my energy! I think my coming videos are my best work...same good content but learning more about the art and craft of video production!

[@jodydavison33]

Great video! I have milkweed in the yard and butterfly weed. I'm new to growing it.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Awesome!

[@melizzagreer59]

Thank you so much! I feel very blessed to have found tou before the New Year 🎊. Im a sub now. You are a wonderful teacher ☺️

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are so welcome! After 30 years in the classroom I still enjoy subbing as well! Are you looking for fulltime?

[@melizzagreer59]

Yes I have a garden in my backyard and I always do flowers but I have been wanting to know more about my local native plants and their benefits and milkweed plants are one that do well here in Eastern NC. So I've already ordered my seeds just waiting on them so I can start the stratification so they are ready for spring planting. I'm dedicating a whole section of my garden to nothing but native flowers that do well in my coastal area. I will be watching all your videos! Thank you for replying. ❤

[@FatChanceTheCouchDog]

@NatureAtYourDoorFrankTaylor This video earned you my subscription. I had questions answered here that were shared on another channel where we wanted to know if prairie dogs were good companion species for monarch butterflies because a commentor noted that they left the milkweed plants alone but ate most of the other plants around it and cleared out the area of competing species. I concluded it was a good match but I'm not a botanist or biologist. Can someone who is maybe chime in on prairie dogs and their relationship with milkweed? All I know is that they're herbivores and that milkweed's toxin should be sufficient enough to deter grazing. Anyway, thank you Frank! A bit about why I'm interested in milkweed: I'm studying how to reverse desertification and restore natural habitats in an effort to restore natural migration patterns for wildlife. Anyone with information related to that is encouraged to contact me. Thank you!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi Fat Chance! Welcome to NAYD! Fascinating work you are doing. I have actually been working with a guy in Kenya that is trying to reverse desertification and natural habitats in arid lands of Kenya. Watch for my video next Friday! Btw..i love the dessert...have so enjoyed Saguro national monument in Arizona and elsewhere...but I have little first hand knowledge...living here in abundant water resources of Appalachians! Please keep in touch and keep me up dated on your research!

[@FatChanceTheCouchDog]

@@natureatyourdoor Please investigate nano clay technology for your friend in Kenya. There are very active and aggressive approaches that have been documented here on yt in the area of desertification mitigation. I've personally been looking at Mequite trees and Black Locust trees for their roles in their respective environments. What I've come to understand is the very first effort to make is in water cycle restoration and reintroduction of the local flora within affected areas. Mesquite is a food source, nitrifier and also considered invasive. I'm still looking into Black Locust. Nitrifying species will be an important part of restoration efforts anywhere, but if the water cycle isn't nutured then those efforts will be significantly more difficult. I await you next video and will be watching older content to catch up. Thank you for responding.

[@amandajackson195]

Thank you.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank YOU Amanda Jackson!! :-)

[@notsohandytim5090]

Unfortunately, if there ever was milkweed in western Oregon it has been sprayed out of existence by roadside maintenance crews.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Spraying herbicide resistant genetic engineered corn sometimes from the air!,... devasted mid west populations!

[@franzwaltenspuhl8892]

I thought so as well in Northern California. Until I found heart shaped leaf milkweed growing on my road. And it’s spreading, yay.

[@TheRealRealHousewife]

I just found some with huge pods and brought them home but not sure what to do with them

[@bobadams8818]

Just laid in two 20 x 5 foot milkweed patches for my bees and soon to be moonarch habitat. Hopefully pictures/video soon.

[@natureatyourdoor]

That is really exciting! I would love to see fall pictures! Send to me at [e-mail] or post on my Instagram or Facebook page!

[@bobadams8818]

@natureatyourdoor absolutely, hopefully our farm will have its own youtube channel... so many projects, so much work.. but, alls inching forward

[@waterlily9349]

New subscriber here! I have recently started learning about this plant. I love butterflies 🦋 I want to plant them in my backyard so my question is: do deer 🦌 eat this plant? They eat my hostas, unless it’s the bunnies; which I have also seen.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Here is the great news! They ARE DEER proof..toxic..and sticky milky sap. No better plant for food for monarch larva and rich nectar for all butterflies I feel your pain. The deer on my land decimated my fragile native woodland stand of pink lady slippers that take seven years to flower! (See my video) ! And if everyone plant milkweed in their gardens monarchs would..... Great to have you as a subscriber...an established stand of milkweed will come back stronger every year. Great to have you as a subscriber...send me questions any time ..let me know how it works out! Keep in touch!

[@lizoconnor2752]

You are a treasure

[@natureatyourdoor]

Awe. Lol..wow! Nobody has ever told me that!

[@lizoconnor2752]

Your work on your channel makes impact. However, I'm a nature girl!

[@paulmartin8633]

I really enjoyed this video series, my only issue is that the numerical # for the series seems backwards. I would have thought this episode would be #1 but it's #10.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Glad you like this series....sorry about the confusion.

[@kleineroteHex]

The blossoms smell AMAZING! looking for uses, it is spreading like crazy😊

[@natureatyourdoor]

Great! Its is awesome that it is spreading. It is they biggest thing we can do to help save the migration phenomena...we need more people to welcome milkweeds in their gardens!

[@kleineroteHex]

@@natureatyourdoor If you have a garden you do not want it to be all milkweed LOL - but I just gave some a new home with a friend who came to pick up seedlings "would you like some milkweed too?" so off it went to a new place!

[@natureatyourdoor]

@@kleineroteHex ha! Yes...they will slowly take over...sort of bullies, huh! Glad you could share your good fortune. Here in Floyd County, VA we often have plant and seed exchanges! You would fit right in here!

[@kleineroteHex]

@@natureatyourdoor yes I would😊😊 2 years in a row we hat plant exchange at our library, took milkweed there as well and got a strawberry plant that now grew to ? new plants😊 If they have one this year my ferns need a thinning.

[@darcyjamison4047]

Hey friend! Love your videos! I’m wondering if you can answer a question for me. I guess my 6 plants were the only place and town and they got 100% defoliated by 34 caterpillars. Will the leaves grow back or are my plants dead now?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Where are you State? Growing season? I have seen milkweed mowed to ground at roadside and spring right back. But late in season...they will wait til spring. Let me know how this turns out. So glad you like my shares! That means a lot to me!

[@darcyjamison4047]

I’m in New Orleans, plenty of warm weather left. I started some more seeds to avoid this situation next year.

[@natureatyourdoor]

@@darcyjamison4047 I meant to say...good situation to have! I think they might still grow back as far south as you are. Do let me know how it goes. Today I safely found 2 dead monarchs in the sand at Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Late migrants and victims of last night's storm here.

[@darcyjamison4047]

Good-ish news! A few little leaves are starting to return and somehow there’s still 1 little guy creeping around the plants.

[@natureatyourdoor]

@@darcyjamison4047 that is good news! Bet that guy has resorted to eating stems! Thanks for update!

[@mattreid33]

hello Frank, I was wondering if I could email you a photo of my milkweed plants. I've had them growing for about six months and have raised many Monarchs. Something attacked my plants though and I wanted your opinion.

[@natureatyourdoor]

HI Matthew, sorry that youtube doesnt allow photo in comments to interchange! Maybe they will upgrade that soon. You can post photos under vistor posts on my facebook Nature at Your Door Page.

[@berniesbend]

The trouble with milkweed growing along the roadside is municipalities for some reason can't stop mowing the roadside. Ours mows to the ditch and nearly 8 feet beyond that with a mower that can be lifted and extended. We can't grow anything in this area and any Monarchs in this area on milkweed plants are mowed as well.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Oh no! It seems our local mowing hits the older milkweed late in summer...then there is a second regrowth of fresh young green leaves for final generation.

[@lucindagaskill7137]

If I dig up an established milkweed plant, will it transplant into my yard fairly easily ? There are thousands of them near me, here in Pa.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Best time to transplant is late fall when above ground plant is completely dried out and dormant. Many of the horizontal roots in an existing stand are interconnect so a sharp spade is recommended .

[@marinacarbajal7355]

Wow some are very tall.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes they are!

[@maryannditullio2581]

Well, I happen to have about 10 Milk Weed plants in my flower garden. I can’t count the number that were mowed down on my Lawn. I have seen two Monarchs flying around and am hoping they will lay some eggs. I do have lots of the Orange bugs. There are lots of ants. Do that eat them? There are also several Lady Bugs someone told me they can eat the Monarch eggs. Is that true? Should I do something about the orange bugs? I don’t want to harm the plant by spraying it with a steam of water or spray anything. I am so happy I came across your video! 💕

[@natureatyourdoor]

Dont worry about orange bugs..and I think you will like my milkweed bug episode. The ants actually protect the aphids...symbiosis and the aphids secrete a sugary excretion that the ants collect!

[@barefootearthapothecary]

Thank you for such an informative video! I am about to plant some milkweed seeds. I live in an area with a very high deer population. I want to be sure that I won't harm the deer with the milkweed. Will they steer clear of it?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! The deer are safe ...the sticky milky almost glue like white sap along with the bad taste is enough to deter deer! Please plant away and let me know how it works out in the fall with monarchs! Don't worry about the deer!

[@barefootearthapothecary]

@@natureatyourdoor thank you so much for the quick reply! I hope they will grow strong and be a nice landing space for the monarch's!

[@natureatyourdoor]

@@barefootearthapothecary a priveledge for me to engage and converse with my viewers!

[@keiko3099]

Make sure that the milkweed flowers aren't red! Red is nonative and harmful to monarchs!

[@skinnyWHITEgoyim]

Is milkweed safe to compost or bury in the garden? Probably a dumb question but wondering if its toxic. I have tons of it growing wild around my property.

[@natureatyourdoor]

I think a good question. I am sure it is fine as a compost but probably not good in a hay or sillage for grazing mammals.

[@RhiannonNicole]

My daughter just got her 1st milk weed plant to grow butterflies. We have caterpillars but noticed an aphid infestation. I treated those, but I noticed the soil is filled with a few tiny different bugs. There's hundreds of them. Everytime I water the plant I see them crawling all out of the soil. Is this going to kill her milk weed plant or are soil bugs okay? Thank you!

[@natureatyourdoor]

I would guess your milkweed would be okay....but I have no idea what kind of bugs you might be seeing.

[@mythreeriversproductions7302]

I'm hoping you can confirm the species name for California and Pacific region. I've chatted with a few experts in this area and Narrow Leaf (Asclepias fascicularis) and Showy leaf (Asclepias Speciosa) seem to be the best option here in the Pacific section. The Narrow Leaf is top because it is very weather suited and can be planted up to 10,000 ft ASL. Do you have an opinion on this?

[@natureatyourdoor]

No. Sorry! Way way out of my range! Not familiar at all with West Coast! Whole different biome/biota! Good luck!

[@keiko3099]

Hello I'm on the west coast! I have narrowleaf and showy in socal and both grow extremely well! Got more eggs on them then the few tropical I have actually which is good because I'm slowly replacing it and only using it as emergency food

[@bettytarver2441]

I live in Mississippi and the milkweed I have found has small leaves. It grows wild in my pasture. Would the species with very large leaves grow in my area of southwest Mississippi. Thank you

[@natureatyourdoor]

I think it would ..there is quite a number of different native milkweed species.

[@dustinellis514]

All i ever find is dogbane. I oive in nc where there are many native milkweed but im struggling to find any in the wild, any suggestions. Im located near Raleigh NC.

[@natureatyourdoor]

I have a lot of dog bane as well. I go out to rural roads and look along fencing. You can find it out of town!

[@Nichalia]

So does it mean there's no need to pinch little milkweed plants to make them stronger, because they just have one stem per plant anyway?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Correct Nichalia. However, I have seen milkweed mowed in fields come back later in the season with tender green leaves when the other milkweeds that have turned to flower brown out. I look for these milkweeds when I have a group of caterpillars late in season.

[@lauraferguson4367]

What time of the year does the milk weed have seed pods ?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Toward end of summer!

[@janebowers7871]

Great information. I currently have 18 monarchs in different stages. The nature center told me they do not encourage people raising them as they are not strong enough to survive when released. I thought I was doing something good, but now I wonder. What are your thoughts? Thank you, Jane

[@natureatyourdoor]

I personally don't see how that makes any sense. A risk of raising at home is they got get a protozoan disease and you could inadvertently help spread that. We reared local monarchs (so we did not alter genetics) and knew how to check for the protocol parasite. I can't think of any reason a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis at hoke would be any different then one emerging in wild.

[@natureatyourdoor]

I d like to hear their explanation.

[@natureatyourdoor]

monarchwatch.org/rear/

[@natureatyourdoor]

Rearing is encouraged by national respected and acclaimed Monarch Watch. See monarchwatch.org

[@michellerobbins1432]

Two years ago I let my lawn grow up looking for wild tortoise food . In the process milkweed grew !! Last year I let maybe 10 stalks grew . I ended up finding 3 monarch caterpillars . I never found the crisilis (spelling?) . I tag the area so that I could make sure that I could keep them .Well this year there are over 50 milkweed plants .Majority grow on a hill .I cannot check.all the plants . I have not seen any eggs or caterpillars on the edges of the place I had marked off . How can I encourage the monarchs to come to me (my milkweed) . Any suggestions ??

[@natureatyourdoor]

So glad you nutured an area for milkweed to proliferate. Monarch populations can go up and down locally...good years,and bad years...globally of course numbers have trended down. I often don't see significant numbers here in VA til late August and early Sept .

[@spookyvegan1402]

Do baby milkweed plants have more than one stem? I just bought some I hope they are milkweed!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hmmmm. I would think not. Not sure what you are looking at Spooky.

[@conniebush7252]

I have found if you cut the top of milkweed off, it grows back with additional branches.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! I watched late summer gnarly looking milkweed in fields...after mowing the grow back vigorously with tender green leaves great for the last generation in the fall!

[@fluterific00]

what should you do if you accidentally touch your eye after touching the plant?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi Alison Hasselquist ...oh gosh...i am not a doctor so it would be out of my area of expertise to suggest a remedy. Certainly your concern would relate to the amount in your eye and possible allergic response. It would seem reasonable if you experience discomfort, itchying, burning or redness to consult your doctor. Personally...i have handled a lot of milkweed over the years and my body did not react to it. But different people respond different ways. For example some people have BIG reactions to a mild brush with poison ivy why others seem completely "immune".

[@jaykaykissesfalife]

Where can I purchase this ? I have a client requesting this for gallbladder and liver .

[@natureatyourdoor]

Really? Locally here it is considered a common weed therefore not sold around here. Other more attractive or garden friendly milkweed species are sold commercially.

[@lleague9222]

My dad was a farmer. He used to get so mad at me when I would go out and break the ripe pods open and let the fluff fly. LOL

[@6996katmom]

I always plant milkweed seeds, but have never had luck growing the plant. I do have a larvae or some caterpiller eating on my lemon tree every year. What would that be?

[@natureatyourdoor]

I will need to look that up!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Possibly this one? What do you think? www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/jhoover/articles/page1536601297269

[@6996katmom]

@@natureatyourdoor That looks like it. Usually there are 10 or so on my citrus. They fly away before I get to see what they become.

[@thomass.johnson8324]

Is this the same as we call Native Milkweed?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Well yes Thomas ....more often in my area I hear in called Common Milkweed. There are also other "native milkweeds, too though. Then ...purists get into native to US? Or native to whiich State..and even native to what counties! I don't get to considered about that unless it is a very invasive sps displacing native plants! :-) 👍

[@WisdombyExperience]

The fragrance is heady too.

[@natureatyourdoor]

I love native common milkweed! I need to do a campaign for more garden native plantings of these!

[@marinacarbajal7355]

How much water does it need?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Not much really! A flower of prairies!

[@spookyvegan1402]

Also I only have pots Will they grow okay?

[@natureatyourdoor]

I don't see why not! Let me know how it goes!

[@jonathankr]

When is an ok time in fall to remove them?

[@natureatyourdoor]

After seeds look pods have opened!

[@mayaamay4615]

Did I missed sap remedy use?

[@natureatyourdoor]

???

[@pamclyncke5096]

Does anyone have the link to his second video that shows you how to find monarch eggs?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi Pam Clyncke...is this the video you are interested in? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpq8gJWdqr5kjqs

[@pamclyncke5096]

@@natureatyourdoor Thank you! So cool. I just found a milkweed plant for the first time on a walk in my neighborhood. I’m taking my daughter back to look for eggs here in just a little bit.

[@natureatyourdoor]

@@pamclyncke5096 that is awesome Pam! Love realtime interaction with my viewers! Keep me posted...take photos and you can share photos with me on NAYD Facebook under visitor posts! I can't wait to hear how it goes! Fun!

[@pamclyncke5096]

@@natureatyourdoor Just posted our photos on your Facebook page. Thank you again!

[@kinglyzard]

The real challenge is telling Dogbane from Sullivant's Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii)

[@natureatyourdoor]

I'll have to look that one up!

[@stinkystinkpot]

Have you ever noticed what happens to honeybees when they try to feed on milkweed flowers? They often lose leg parts trying to break free from the pollen traps.

[@natureatyourdoor]

No way, Stinkystinkpot!!! That is amazing. I will have to watch for that. Keep in my that honeybees are non-native and did not evolve with our native milkweeds.

[@stinkystinkpot]

@@natureatyourdoor Way! Try searching “honey bee stuck to milkweed flower” on KZbin. You should find a video I posted, several years ago. Your videos are very interesting, and I like your infectious smile. 😃👍

[@naturelover1181]

Hi Sir your videos are very good and informative please do reply as fast as possible THANKYOU I NEED YOUR HELP ** IMPORTANT** i found and rescued three caterpillars they look same as you showed in the video but they have three sets of antenae or tentacles what are they ? and they also do move a lot try to come out of the container and always active what should i feed them ? is giant milkweed ok? please help me ? how should i take care of them , any necessary precautions? or any measures to take? please do reply as fast as possible THANKYOU I NEED YOUR HELP ** IMPORTANT**

[@naturelover1181]

please reply sir..

[@natureatyourdoor]

See my reply to other message. Good luck.

[@naturelover1181]

@@natureatyourdoor OK SIR SEEN THANK YOU VERY MUCH HELPFUL...

[@Gracie994]

Do monarchs like swamp milkweed?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes they do!!!

[@Gracie994]

@@natureatyourdoor ok, thank you! That's what I have in my yard. But I'm still trying to find where they go when they go into the crystalise stage, can't find them. I always thought they stay on the plant itself.

[@WisdombyExperience]

Ugh, must have been that butterfly I ate. Hahahaha

[@natureatyourdoor]

:-) !

[@111marcie]

Can I grow in a pot? I can't believe how big it is

[@natureatyourdoor]

A big pot?

[@randybrandt8644]

looks like a plant in Southwest Texas and Louisiana.We call Polk salad and it is also toxic. cooking you pour off the first water and boil again to rid your plant of toxins. It is a very tasty greens. so we call that Polk salad and we have another plant that's called milkweed. I'll try to upload a photo of real Texas milkweed!

[@natureatyourdoor]

We have an Appalachian weed the locals called "poke" as well. Actually pokeweed...and same ...boil in several water changes.

[@randybrandt8644]

@@natureatyourdoor Yes, it grows at my daughter's house in the foothills of the Appalachians.

[@natureatyourdoor]

@@randybrandt8644 👍😃

[@marinacarbajal7355]

Gloves on before breaking a leaf

[@natureatyourdoor]

True. Some people can be sensitive and the too never seems to wash off.

[@becdowd9921]

I don't believe I heard once where you are even. We don't have this milkweed in Florida but your ReadOut didn't mention location.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi Bec. Sorry. I live in the Appalachian mountains in the south west part of Virginia at 2700 feet. I try to remember to ID my location at the beginning of most of my videos. You do have many other interesting milkweeds....have you seen this publication? xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/19-020.pdf

[@keiko3099]

If you're in Florida the best milkweed i believe is swamp milkweed

[@mindysbrewington]

So i sniffed this plant and touched it about a week ago and me eyes especially, swelled up, i have a rash on my arms and stomach, its still spreading now

[@natureatyourdoor]

Oh no...you must be especially sensitive to toxins.....just like some are super allergic to poison ivy. So sorry.

[@natureatyourdoor]

I suggest you ask doc about it...my recommend anti histamine or steroids.

[@marinacarbajal7355]

Do it please put a sign

[@natureatyourdoor]

👍

[@heatley1]

Doesn’t exist this year

[@natureatyourdoor]

? Doesn't exist this year?

[@edwarddeitz2376]

Omgosh blah blah blah..where are the seeds????

[@natureatyourdoor]

? The seeds won't be mature til the pods open in late fall.