Common Milkweed

Common milkweed is a herbaceous perennial plant that is native to North America. It has a tall, erect stem that can grow up to 6 feet tall. The leaves are opposite and lance-shaped. The flowers are bright orange and are borne in clusters. The seeds are produced in pods that are covered in a fluffy white down.

Common milkweed is an important plant for monarch butterflies. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants, and the caterpillars feed on the leaves. The milkweed plant contains a toxin that makes the monarch butterfly poisonous to predators. This helps to protect the monarch butterfly from being eaten.