Milkweed
Milkweed, a perennial herb with sticky, milky sap and tiny, silky-tufted seeds. There are more than 100 species, native to North and South America and Africa.
The milkweed plant has an upright stem reaching a height of two to five feet (0.6 to 1.5 m) or more. Its narrow or oblong leaves are positioned opposite each other or in whorls of four. The flowers are small; they grow in loose clusters. Each flower has five swept-back petals beneath a five-part cup. The plant has seedpods that split open in the fall, releasing tufted seeds that may be carried great distances by the wind.
The common milkweed has rose or purple flowers. The butterfly weed, or pleurisy root, has orange or yellow flowers. The root was dried and used medicinally by Native Americans to treat lung ailments. The bloodflower is grown for its crimson flowers. The sap of some species is used in making rubber, drugs, plastics, and lubricants. Milkweed oil, similar to soybean oil, is used in cooking. The floss (silk) is woven into textiles. Mead's milkweed and Welsh's milkweed are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction.
Milkweeds belong to the family Asclepiadaceae. The common milkweed is Asclepias syriaca; butterfly weed, A. tuberosa; bloodflower, A. curassavica: Mead's milkweed, A. meadii; Welsh's milkweed. A. welshii.