Common milkweed Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Common Milkweed

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Subfamily:	Asclepiadoideae
Genus:	Asclepias
Species:	A. syriaca
Binomial name
*Asclepias syriaca* L.

Asclepias syriaca, often called Common Milkweed, is a well-known plant. It is also known as the butterfly flower or silkweed. This plant is a type of milkweed. It is native to North America, meaning it naturally grows there. Common Milkweed is very important for many insects, especially Monarch butterflies.

Where Common Milkweed Grows
What Common Milkweed Looks Like
Why Common Milkweed is Important
Images for kids
See also

Where Common Milkweed Grows

Common Milkweed grows in many places across North America. You can often find it in:

Prairies
Meadows
Open fields
Roadsides
Gardens

This plant likes sunny or partly shaded areas. It can grow in different types of soil, from damp to dry. It usually grows to be about 0.5 to 1.5 meters (1½ to 5 feet) tall.

What Common Milkweed Looks Like

Common Milkweed has several interesting features:

Flowers

Common Milkweed flowers bloom from June to August. They grow in round clusters. The flowers are usually green and purple. They have a sweet smell. These flowers are very attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Leaves and Stems

The leaves of Common Milkweed are large and oval-shaped. They are usually light green. If you break a leaf or stem, a milky white liquid comes out. This liquid is called latex. It is a defense mechanism for the plant.

Seeds and Pods

After the flowers bloom, they turn into large, green pods. These pods are called follicles. As the pods get older, they turn brown and split open. Inside, there are many flat, brown seeds. Each seed has a silky, white "parachute" attached to it. This silky part helps the seeds float on the wind. This way, the seeds can travel far away and grow new plants.

Why Common Milkweed is Important

Common Milkweed is a very important plant for wildlife.

Monarch Butterflies: It is the only plant that Monarch butterfly caterpillars can eat. Female Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed leaves. The caterpillars hatch and eat the leaves to grow. Without milkweed, Monarch butterflies cannot complete their life cycle.
Other Insects: Many other insects also visit Common Milkweed. Bees, other butterflies, and various bugs feed on its nectar. This makes it a vital part of the ecosystem.

By planting Common Milkweed, people can help support Monarch butterflies and other important pollinators.