Penn State: Common Milkweed, Monarch food, is a weed?

http://extension.psu.edu/pests/weeds/we ... n-milkweed

Ran into this one as I was looking for info on the Common Milkweed.  We all now know how important vital this native milkweed is to our beloved Monarchs.  Well, here is an American college ag extension unit labeling it a weed and advising on how to control it.  Heck, I am trying to propagate it for Monarchs.  I was shocked to run into this one.

They have long been classed as weeds in many parts of the continent ... the reason is in that article:

(quote): "Some milkweed species are poisonous to livestock, and others are suspect, so they are not desirable in pastures and cropland. All parts, either fresh or dried, are potentially toxic, and an animal that eats only 2 percent of its weight may become ill."

Though the solution is simple - don't let livestock into fields where it grows.

The definition I learned was "a weed is a plant out of place". That means that milkweed growing in the middle of a golf green is a weed, but when it's growing in a meadow it's right at home. Any plant can be both a weed and not a weed depending only on where it grows.

baldsparrow wrote:They have long been classed as weeds in many parts of the continent ... the reason is in that article:

(quote): "Some milkweed species are poisonous to livestock, and others are suspect, so they are not desirable in pastures and cropland. All parts, either fresh or dried, are potentially toxic, and an animal that eats only 2 percent of its weight may become ill."

Though the solution is simple - don't let livestock into fields where it grows.

Probably why it is called milkWEED. 

Yes Baldsparrow…you are right.  I knew that all parts are poisonous and should have realized that free-ranging livestock was the reason an ag unit would post recommendations for controlling it.  Good catch…and thanks

Another article on milkweed and Monarchs:

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilder ... re-species

Joe

SantaFeJoe wrote:Another article on milkweed and Monarchs:

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilder ... re-species

Joe

This article is great because it is basic and also because it throws in a couple of facts toward the end that most of us probably did not know (including me

I want to add the following link, that was in my Swallow-Wort posting.  My reasoning for adding it here?  In your link (article) Joe, the Xerces Society stresses the point that it is vital that we plant the right milkweeds.  Now comes along this exotic milkweed that triggers the Monarch to lay their eggs on it, but the Monarch larvae will not eat it and so die.  

Also, this Swallow-wort is very invasive.  This one is scary to me. 

If you have not already, please have a quick look at this great article, an essential read for Monarch lovers, into Monarch recovery:  

http://monarchjointventure.org/images/u ... _flyer.pdf

Robert