Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: annew on October 31, 2007, 06:24:26 PM

Title: American seedpod
Post by: annew on October 31, 2007, 06:24:26 PM

A friend was given this pod of seeds collected in Minnesota. Anybody know what it is? The seeds are incredibly mobile, I had to sneak up on it and hold my breath to take the photo. The seed parts easily from the parachute. The seed pod is 8cm long. I'm sorry about the quality of the pictures, if you need clearer ones I'll ask the cameraman.

Title: Re: American seedpod
Post by: Carlo on October 31, 2007, 06:36:30 PM

Anne,

It's Asclepias syriaca (most likely):   Milkweed

Larval food of the Monarch Butterfly

Title: Re: American seedpod
Post by: annew on October 31, 2007, 06:42:53 PM

Crumbs that was quick! Thanks, Carlo. Is it safe to plant it or am I likely to start an epidemic?

Title: Re: American seedpod
Post by: Lesley Cox on October 31, 2007, 06:53:05 PM

All that beautiful silk Anne, you could start up a spinning industry for very delicate ladies' underwear. Delicate underwear, not delicate ladies. :)

Title: Re: American seedpod
Post by: annew on October 31, 2007, 06:56:26 PM

You'd have to catch it first.

Title: Re: American seedpod
Post by: Anthony Darby on October 31, 2007, 11:58:50 PM

Milkweed is not an invasive plant. Asclepias curassavica is a tender species with red and yellow flowers which I saw in Trinidad. A. syriaca is vigorous and fully hardy.