The Butterfly Milkweed Plants - Gardening and Hobby 31

The milkweed plants belong to the genus of Asclepias which have plenty species, about 140 kind of plants.

Fig 01- Butterfly milkweed plants.

The 140 species of milkweed plants are found mainly in the areas of North America, Africa and South America.

I have known just two species grow beautifully in our neighborhood, Baton Rouge, LA: Common butterfly milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and Mexican, also well known as Tropical butterfly milkweed (Asclepias curassivica)

As reported by USDA (2023: Which Milkweeds Do Monarch Butterflies Prefer?) that the Common butterfly milkweed plant is preferred by Monarch butterfly to lay their eggs.

Fig 02- Unidentified butterfly, illustration

However, we always find Monarch butterfly drinking nectar of Mexican (tropical) milkweed flowers in our neighborhood areas during Spring times.

Wisconsin Horticulture (2023: Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias currasavica) suggested that Monarch butterfly prefer Mexican Milkweed than other Milkweed plants in Wisconsin state areas.

Fig 03- A Monarch butterfly landing on the Milkweed flower

Do you recognize both Common butterfly milkweed and Mexican (Tropical) butterfly milkweed? What do you think?

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