I have long been hearing and reading things about milkweed for a long time. It is famous because it is the host for the even more famous monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus, which comes to the US from Mexico for a very long dramatic urge for something they haven't yet known why! The genetic make up of this butterfly is so unique, i guess!
Then this milkweed is also controversial because it is said to suffer extinction in a place bombarded by a GMO herbicide that is reported to be erradicationg all weeds. Others also do not like it for being almost invasive that becomes a dilemma for farmers. Then comes the other sector at the other side of the fence, conserving the milkweed for the balance of biodiversity that is threatened by so many "advance technology" chemicals and so called development.
Being not familiar with this weed, i got curious. I thought it is only growing in temperate countries, where a lot of controversies lie. Eventually, when i got addicted to growing hoyas, i learned that they are in the same family, Aclepiadaceae. Oh that even heightens my curiosity more! Lo and behold, when i visited (highlands) Baguio City last December i saw it in the Botanical Garden. This is Asclepias curassavica, also a host for the monarchs found here, Danaus chrysippus & Danaus melanippus, different species from the famous one. I got some seeds to try in our hot lowlands, and it thrive very well as you can see in the following photos.
growth is healthy without any predator at all, our monarchs haven't seen it yet
there are different stages of blooming maturity in one stem, so i can see flowers every weekend
it gave me lots of photography angles and each single one is lovely
those seemingly dancing ladies in their vivid red gowns are so attractive
I can see the flower parts resembling that of the hoya, being in the same family. It has been flowering since February and hasn't stopped since then.
After viewing your Hoyas and also Milkweeds, I can see how they are related. There are more than 140 species of Milkweed (Asclepias). The one you show here, Tropical Milkweed, survives year-round in warm parts of the U.S., but it can't survive cold-climate winters. Many other Milkweed species go dormant in cold climates and re-emerge in the spring. The ones that don't go dormant can harbor parasites. But, anyway, I don't know if the Tropical Milkweed (A. curassavica) will be invasive, but it might harbor parasites. It would probably be OK if you cut it back once a year during your cooler season? It is a beautiful plant, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteOh yes Beth it is beautiful. Even if it is the tropical species, it is seen only as introduced species in our coldest part of the country, that is in the highlands. So in my garden in the lowlands that represents most of the conditions in the country, it wilts so easily so has to be watered morning and early evening. With the characteristics of its seeds being easily blown by winds, it is invasive. Moreover, in the absence of other predators they would thrive quickly in marginal areas where water is available or colder parts like creek sides. So i must contain it as much as i can. Thanks much Beth.
DeleteIt looks so pretty - we have some invasive plants here that are pretty but nothing like that.
ReplyDeleteMilkweed originates in the US, as i discussed in my post.
DeleteWhat a colorful and interesting flower. I wonder if this is where monarchs get their color? Here (New Zealand) they thrive on swan plants. I love the clarity of your photos.
ReplyDeleteI will be searching for swan plants, maybe they are of the same Genus or family, as monarchs only eat the milkweed plants. Thanks Rhonda for dropping by.
DeleteThe colours mix perfectly together. Nice photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Marleen, hope you visit my site again.
DeleteThis is an interesting plant, with those multicolour little blooms. Your photos are gorgeous. I love best that second to last, macro shot. Thank you for linking at my Floral Bliss - have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI gave it a prominent single topic post because it is the first time i planted it in my hot tropical setting. Besides it is still acclimatising and my brain is still very overwhelmed by it. Thanks Riitta
DeleteI love those tiny little flowers! The color is just amazing. Thanks for the info about this lovely plant.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there is also milkweed in NZ, don't you find it there?
DeleteThese flowers get better the closer you look. Nature is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteOh yes Sharon, i love every angle of the seemingly dancing ladies in their gowns.
Deleteoh I've seen those but didn't know what they were called.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you have this in NZ, as most of the species are temperate climate plants. Thanks for coming here.
Deletewow, wow, such beautiful flowers tat plant have. Don´t think I have seen them before. Not like this anyway, Great shots and thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nature Footstep! Milkweed is a temperate country weed so maybe you have seen it.
DeleteAn interesting plant and the flowers are especially beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete