Swamp milkweed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp Milkweed |
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A. incarnata
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| Asclepias incarnata |
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Asclepias incarnata is a special kind of plant called a milkweed. You might know it better as swamp milkweed, rose milkweed, or pink milkweed. It's also sometimes called white Indian hemp. This plant is native, meaning it naturally grows, in North America.
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About Swamp Milkweed
Swamp milkweed is part of a larger group of plants called milkweeds. It's famous for its beautiful pink flowers. These flowers usually bloom during the summer months, from June to August. The plant can grow to be about 1 to 5 feet (0.3 to 1.5 meters) tall.
Where Swamp Milkweed Lives
This plant loves wet places! You can often find it growing in wet meadows, open grasslands called prairies, and very wet areas like swamps and marshes. It prefers soil that stays moist. It also likes to grow in sunny spots or places that get a little bit of shade.
Why Swamp Milkweed is Important
Swamp milkweed is very important for many insects, especially monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars can only eat milkweed plants. This makes swamp milkweed a vital food source for them. The flowers also provide nectar for many other insects, like bees and other butterflies.
Images for kids
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With monarch butterfly larva
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With Sphex ichneumoneus
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Open follicles
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Inflorescence
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Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet'
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Cultivated variety
See also
In Spanish: Algodoncillo de México para niños
