Illustration: Margaret Burlingham.

Description

There are many species of Milkweed that grow in the Great Lakes region. The small five-​petalled flowers grow in clusters, creating sweet-​smelling balls. The plump seed pods form unusual shapes that ripen and burst open with the white fluff of their seeds. Milkweed is named after the white, latex liquid that can be found in the stems.

Cool Facts about Milkweed

Milkweed is an important plant for pollinators, from bees and wasps to butterflies. In fact, they’re the main food source for Monarch caterpillars. These caterpillars have evolved alongside Milkweed so that they can ingest the toxins in the plant without being harmed. The toxins then make the caterpillars poisonous to birds and other predators, who won’t dare eat the caterpillars. Smart, hey? The problem is that when you only have one thing to eat, that thing better be available, otherwise you will starve. That is why it’s important to grow Milkweed!

Harvesting Tip

If you want to try eating Milkweed pods, it’s best to collect them when they’re young and green. When they’re any bigger than an inch long or have started to split, they will be no good. When you open the pod up, the newly forming seeds inside should be totally white. If they have started to turn brown at all, they will be unpleasant to eat. Cut the pods into pieces about 3 centimetres (1 inch) long and cook them as you might cook Green Beans or Okra.

Credit: Philippa Joy.

Try This!

Grow a Butterfly Garden

Monarch butterflies are beautiful to see as they arrive by the thousands in the early summer. They travel over 5,000 miles, all the way from Mexico, and are the only insect to migrate like birds do! In the old days, it was said that the sky would be so full of butterflies that they would block out the sun. These days, there are fewer and fewer butterflies because their habitats are being destroyed by city sprawl and pesticides. You can help the butterflies by planting more food for them. Here is how.

In the fall, when the Milkweed pods have turned brown, head out with a paper bag to harvest the seed pods that have not yet split open. Leave the ones with the white fluff sticking out for the wind to plant. Choose pods that are dry and brown but unopened. When you get home, open the pods over a big bowl. You will find little brown seeds on the inside that can be separated from the white floss. Discard the floss and save the seeds.

These seeds can be planted out in the fall by spreading them on freshly raked earth in a sunny place. Lightly cover the seeds with soil and water them. Be sure to make a little sign so you remember what you planted there (spring is still a long way off). If you prefer to plant them in the spring, store the seeds in a well-​labeled envelope in the fridge. This is like a pretend winter for seeds, which need a cold period or stratification before they will grow in the spring.

Philippa Joly is a clinical community herbalist, paramedic, and outdoor educator. She runs an outdoor school for kids and leads workshops on herbal medicine, plant identification, ethical wildcrafting, herbal first aid, local healing plants, and anti-colonial approaches to wellness.

Credit: Sweet Sea Photography.

Excerpt from A Kid’s Guide to Plants of the Great Lakes by Philippa Joy (Harbour Publishing, 2025). Reprinted with permission from the publisher.