Milkweed Species: Attracting Butterflies
Milkweed is a wonderful genus of plants that are significant to pollinators in general, and especially the Monarch butterfly. The word ‘weed’ is frequently used in the landscaping and gardening circle and this refers to plants that appear were not intended. However, what does it mean to be a weed? Why do we consider an intruder’s plant unwelcome? When checking this year’s volunteer milkweeds, ask yourself if any of those plants are useful to butterflies before you dispose of them.
Arizona Milkweed
Arizona milkweed only occurs in the state of Arizona, with a restricted distribution in southern Arizona. It is a shrubby small species growing in clumps favoring dry, rocky soil high up. It typically occurs in mountainous regions and forest environs. The stems are long, straight, and bare with narrow, pointed leaves that come in various grades of compactness.
Heartleaf Milkweed
It is a very showy and attractive milkweed species, growing on the West Coast of the United States and native only to California, Nevada, and Oregon. Even though it belongs to a limited native range, it is very popular just because of its ornamental effect. The common or heartleaf milkweed is a perennial with large leaves that are heart-shaped and opposite leaf arrangement on purple stemmed growth or shoots. Sometimes, the leaves may go purple as well.
Poke Milkweed
In comparison, a poked milkweed has an intriguing “weeping” look, with large, attractive leaves positioned on both sides of an unbranched pole. The soil is relatively unimportant for this type, which thrives in both acidic and alkaline sandy soils. Therefore, Poke Milkweed will be alright if there is good drainage. The pedicels of the flowers look like thousands of little, weeping stars. The light green, star-like petals unfold backward to show white hoods.
Prairie Milkweed
This pretty plant likes full sun as well as moist and rich soil. Rhizome spread helps it survive in gardens and this makes it less aggressive than common milkweed. The species share an appearance with common milkweeds and for the most part, are very similar. The prairie milkweed is a medium-sized species with strong stems that usually fork in the upper portions. Smooth elliptical leaves with central veins appearing pink, white, or green.
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