Woollypod milkweed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woollypod Milkweed |
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A. eriocarpa
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| Asclepias eriocarpa |
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Asclepias fremontii |
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The Woollypod Milkweed (scientific name: Asclepias eriocarpa) is a special type of milkweed plant. People also call it Indian Milkweed or Kotolo. This plant is part of the Asclepiadoideae group of plants. It naturally grows in the western United States. You can often find it in dry, open areas.
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About Woollypod Milkweed
Woollypod Milkweed is a plant known for its interesting look. It has soft, woolly pods that hold its seeds. These pods are where the plant gets its common name. The plant is very important for butterflies, especially Monarch butterflies.
Where Woollypod Milkweed Grows
This milkweed plant is native to the western parts of the United States. It likes to grow in places that are dry and sometimes rocky. You can find it in states like California and Nevada. It often grows in open fields or on hillsides.
What Woollypod Milkweed Looks Like
The Woollypod Milkweed has stems that can grow quite tall. Its leaves are usually long and narrow. The plant gets its name from the fuzzy, woolly pods it produces. These pods contain many seeds. Each seed has a silky tuft of hair. This hair helps the seeds float away in the wind.
Flowers and Reproduction
Woollypod Milkweed produces clusters of small, cream-colored flowers. These flowers are usually white or light yellow. They grow in groups at the top of the plant's stems. The flowers are very attractive to pollinators. Many insects, like bees and butterflies, visit them.
After the flowers are pollinated, they develop into seed pods. These pods are covered in a soft, woolly fuzz. When the pods are ripe, they split open. This releases the seeds into the air. The silky hairs on the seeds help them travel far. This is how the plant spreads its seeds.
Why Milkweed Is Important
Milkweed plants are super important for Monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars can only eat milkweed leaves. Without milkweed, Monarch butterflies cannot complete their life cycle. The Woollypod Milkweed provides food for these caterpillars. It helps them grow into beautiful butterflies.
Milkweed also provides nectar for adult butterflies. This nectar gives them energy. Many other insects also rely on milkweed. It is a vital part of their ecosystem. Protecting milkweed helps protect many insects.
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