A June prairie is incomplete without the vivid presence of Butterfly Milkweed. This outstanding member of the Asclepiadaceae, or Milkweed family, may be found from New England to Utah and south to Arizona, Texas and Mississippi. It is unique in not having milky sap, as do other members of the genus.
Milkweeds produce pods full of small papery brown seeds which have long silky white hairs attached to them. The pods split open on one side when the seeds are mature. The hairs allow the wind to scatter the seed. The pods of Butterfly Milkweed are slender and have a long tapering point.
Butterfly Milkweed is noted for medicinal properties. One of its old nicknames is Pleurisy Root. It was widely used by Native Americans for treating throat and lung ailments and for cuts and sores. It was listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1905 and in the National Formulary form 1916 to 1936. Extracts from the roots of Butterfly Milkweed have been shown to be active against tuberculosis cultures. The identified active compounds in milkweeds include a potent class of chemicals known as cardiac glycosides. It is these chemicals that are utilized by Monarch butterfly caterpillars for their own protection. As they eat milkweed they store the cardiac glycosides in their exoskeleton, making themselves toxic to predators such as birds.
Many milkweeds spread by lateral roots (rhizomes). Butterfly Milkweed grows in a single clump from a woody rootstock. Since it is not invasive it is a good candidate for the home garden, compared to other milkweeds. Its beauty, attractiveness for butterflies and availability in the garden trade resulted in it being chosen as the Kansas Wildflower of the Year for 1999. A committee made of members of the Kansas Wildflower Society, the Kansas Associated Garden Clubs and Botanica, the Wichita Gardens bestows this honor each year. Purple Coneflower was chosen in 1998. If you are looking for a native prairie wildflower for your garden, Butterfly Milkweed is an excellent choice.
Watch for Butterfly Milkweed in roadside habitat and prairies during early summer. You will not only find a delight for the eye, but a lot of butterflies and other insects as well!
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