common milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Description:
Well known a half century ago as an abundant roadside weed, common milkweed was extensively controlled by farmers and road crews across Wisconsin. The success of the weed management efforts caused a dramatic decline in the number of monarch butterflies that require milkweed plants milkweed plants as a place to lay their eggs and to nourish monarch caterpillars as they develop.
A recent scientific review recommended that the monarch butterfly be added to the federal Endangered Species list. That recommendation was rejected because there were not sufficient resources to enforce its protection under the law. Voluntary efforts are underway to increase milkweed numbers to protect and restore monarch butterfly populations.
Common milkweed is the largest and most abundant species of milkweed in Wisconsin. Other species include: butterfly milkweed, clasping milkweed, green-flowered milkweed, marsh (swamp) milkweed, poke milkweed, prairie milkweed, purple milkweed, wooly milkweed, and whorled milkweed.