Louise's Utopia: Asclepias Syriaca L.

This past week at Coteau Valley Farm I came across an interesting-looking plant. It stuck out like a sore thumb with its large leaves that measured over six inches long and two to three inches wide. It also made a loud scene with its large knobby-looking green fruit pod. I couldn’t wait to find out exactly what this plant or weed was named. I eventually found out that the plant is a perennial, the Asclepias Syriaca L. or the common milkweed. It is a lovely flower, as it is very original and has lots of shape to it, and an amazing fruit pod that apparently will bloom into many pink flowers. There are over four hundred and fifty species of insects that feed on the plant. I'd say it's pretty important to a lot of little flyers and crawlers out there on the prairie! But one species, the Monarch Butterfly, literally exists because of this plant. It feeds on it and in the butterfly stage of its life, lays its eggs on the plant too. The caterpillar then feeds on the plant. One aspect of this plant I found super interesting is, that it contains cardiac glycoside compounds which make it toxic for many insects. However, some others eat the plant for just these compounds. Some of these insects eat the plant just in order to store cardiac glycoside in their tissue. Eating and storing the plant makes them toxic to enemies who might otherwise see them as lunch! Monarch butterflies use this survival tactic too and birds go the other way who may have ordinarily eaten them for lunch. I admit I was very pleased to hear that the Monarch butterflies love this plant and immediately took to loving this plant for that reason alone. I just love all butterflies, but Monarchs are the ones that stick out and are noticed for their lovely orange coloring and they are always so numerous. This year I have not really seen any! Milkweed is toxic to livestock but they would have to eat a large quantity and will not even consider it unless that is all they have to choose from on their plates. Also, it can be a skin allergen but just use the old common sense idea of washing your hands with soap and water and don’t purposely roll in it or use it as lotion. The allergy is caused by those who are allergic to latex. I found out the plant has rhizomes and will spread readily. I have a few clusters growing but it was not a large amount of the plant growing in my pasture. These perennials are not weeds and are so valuable to so many insects we should protect them. I am so glad to know about them and glad they are growing for those four hundred fifty-plus insects who depend on them for survival!

Coteau des Prairies

South Dakota Hobby Farm