Native Milkweed Seed Needed to Help Save Monarch Butterflies
The Xerces Society needs your help: Monarch butterfly populations are declining, in part due to declining milkweed populations Few commercial sources for milkweed seed are available for the Southeastern regions The Xerces Society has funding to increase seed sources, and is collecting seed now The seed of the aquatic milkweed, Asclepias perennis is scarce this year, and they are seeking our help in locating and collecting seed from this plant Swamp milkweed, Asclepias perennis Jeff McMillian@USDA-NRCS PLANTS DATABASE Commonly called 'swamp milkweed' or 'aquatic milkweed,' A. perenni s can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, from swamps to roadside swales. It flowers more freely in sunny locations, but tolerates semi-shaded spots as well. The leaves are bright green and lance-shaped and opposite, the height no more than two feet. The white flowers are sometimes tinged with pink. The species is currently flowering and producing fruit. If...