We took some time to observe and learn about milkweed seeds as part of this challenge.
“The milkweed pod has been the admiration of nature students from the beginning, and surely there are few plants structures that so interest the child as this house in which the milkweed carries its seeds.”
Milkweed pods opening
“No sooner is our treasure open to the air than the shining silk begins to separate into floss of fairy texture.”
“…and altogether there are enough of the threads to float the seed, a balloon of the safest sort.”
Handbook of Nature Study, page 493
The Handbook of Nature Study has a complete section of information and observation suggestions on pages 491-495.
We are going to plant some milkweed in our butterfly garden this year. I ordered the seeds from this website. We did not gather the milkweed seeds that are in the photos since we were at Yosemite National Park and it is against the law to gather seeds in a national park. 🙂
thanks for the pictures, barb. i have some seeds but didn’t know what they actually looked like. when do you plant the seeds, in fall or spring?
Thanks for the photos Barb, I’ve been looking for good photos to see if we have any milkweed regionally (I don’t think so) as I’ve read that I could find monarch eggs to bring home and watch there. I guess I need to order some seed too!
~always happy to stop by, Amanda
We grew some milkweed our first year and the rabbits ate it like candy. That is a frequent refrain you’ll hear from me.