Safety note: Milkweed sap is toxic — do not ingest.
Common Milkweed is an essential native wildflower and the sole breeding host for Monarch butterflies. Fragrant pink flower clusters attract a stunning array of pollinators throughout summer.
Habitat
Old fields, roadsides, disturbed meadows, and prairie remnants
Diet
Sole larval food plant for Monarchs; flowers feed hundreds of bee and wasp species
How common
Common
Best time to see a Common Milkweed
The best time to see a Common Milkweed is June–August, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 127,216 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Not certain it is a Common Milkweed? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Common Milkweed sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Common Milkweed?
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5,300+species
63national parks
50states