common milkweed

Host for: Monarch butterflies and many species of bees.

Flowers: May through August.

Plant Characteristics: Hairy stems and leaves. Leaves are large and oval shaped.

Fun Facts: Offers a chemical defense for Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) making them distasteful to predators.

• Common Milkweed plants (Asclepias syriaca) are the plants that Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) use to lay their eggs. 

• Monarchs feed on Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) while they are caterpillars up until they form their cocoon in the chrysalis stage.