The next species on my list of species that every kid (and adult) in Mid-Michigan should know by sight is the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). This common species is found throughout Michigan and across eastern North America in a variety of soil types. It is recognized by its bright green oval-shaped leaves that are covered with downy hairs and its globe of pink five-petaled flowers. In fall its seed pods split open revealing dark brown tear-drop shaped seeds tipped with a feathery tuft of white hairs. These hairs act as a parachute, catching the wind to disperse the plant's seeds.
For more information about the Common Milkweed please see this species profile from June 2013.
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| Common Milkweed leaves and flowers |
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| A closer view of the plant's unique flowers |
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| A Common Milkweed with one fully opened globe of flowers and one yet open |
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| The teardrop shaped seeds tipped with a tuft of feathery hairs |
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| Frost covered seeds |
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| Winter stalks and empty seedpods |
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| A nearly empty seedpod with only a few remaining seeds |
To see the previous species on my list of Species to Know by Sight look here.
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