Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) Seed

Asclepias syriaca, commonly known as Common Milkweed, is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to North America. It typically grows to a height of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) and spreads to about 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) wide. The plant has a deep, extensive root system that allows it to survive in a wide range of soil conditions.

The leaves of the Asclepias syriaca plant are large, broad, and ovate-shaped, with a pointed tip and a slightly hairy texture. They are arranged oppositely on the stem and can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide.

The plant produces fragrant, small, pink to purple flowers in clusters at the top of the stem from late spring to mid-summer. The flowers have a unique structure consisting of five petals and five sepals that are fused to form a distinctive hood-shaped structure called the corona. The corona contains a nectar-rich reservoir that attracts a variety of pollinators, particularly butterflies and bees.

After the flowers are pollinated, Asclepias syriaca produces large, elongated seed pods that can reach up to 5 inches (13 cm) long. These seed pods are filled with numerous small seeds that are attached to silky, white floss, which helps them to disperse in the wind.

Overall, Asclepias syriaca is an important plant for pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies, which rely on it as a host plant for their eggs and as a food source for their larvae. The plant is also used in traditional medicine for various ailments, and its floss was historically used as a stuffing material for pillows and life jackets.