COMMON NAME
SCIENTIFIC NAME
PLANT FAMILY
Dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
PLANT GROUP
Wildflowers and Herbs
Common milkweed is the host plant for the monarch butterfly life cycle. The milky sap or latex inside this plant, eaten by monarch caterpillars, is what makes the animal toxic to predators. This tall wildflower produces a globe of unique looking soft pink flowers.
Fibers pulled from the dead stems of Common milkweed can be used to create cord and rope. Many Native American tribes used parts of the milkweed plant to treat ailments. However, ingesting any part of Common milkweed can be toxic if not prepared properly.
Budburst is a project of the
Chicago Botanic Garden
One of the treasures of the
Forest Preserves of Cook County
Creative Commons
BY-NC-SA 4.0