Types of Milkweeds
Milkweed is the one plant a monarch cannot live without: its leaves are the only thing monarch caterpillars eat, and the toxins they store from it make them poisonous to predators for life. The genus runs from the roadside Common Milkweed to fussy prairie specialists. Here are the milkweeds in the Huck field guide.
8 milkweeds in the Huck field guide. Tap any one for identification, habitat, diet, and a live sightings map.
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Get Huck - freeCommon questions
Why is milkweed important for monarchs?
It is the monarch’s only host plant: females lay eggs on it and the caterpillars eat nothing else. No milkweed, no monarchs. Planting native milkweed is the single most effective thing a garden can do for the species.
Is milkweed poisonous?
The milky sap contains cardiac glycosides that are toxic to people, pets, and livestock if eaten in quantity, and it irritates skin and eyes. Wash your hands after handling it, but it is safe to grow around a normal garden.