Apparently milkweed is a source of food for monarch butterfly larvae. But what surprised me was that the hairs on which the seeds are distributed by the wind are excellent for use as a hypoallergenic (non allergy producing) insulator, even better than down feathers. In fact over 5,000 tons were collected and used in WWII for this purpose - that's a LOT of milkweed seed pods if you've ever seen them!
(by the way, my blog header shows hairs and seeds from a ripened pod about to be launched on their mission)
(70-200mm f8 1/125 sec ISO200)
an early-opened pod with a bug trapped inside:
(70-200mm f8 1/40 sec ISO200)
most of ours are like these - not ripe yet:
(70-200mm f5 1/50 sec ISO200)
a seed attached to the hairs - ready for flight:
17 comments:
This is so interesting Rick, I never knew anything about milkweed before I read your post... now I can say I learned something new today. :-) The hairs on the weed are so fine, almost like a Pomeranian,that's what it reminds me of. Awesome photos Rick, you make your pictures come to life, amazing shots!
Interesting Info and beautiful closeups :-)
I wonder if they have them here in Europe!!!
Greetz,
Joseph
Interesting photos, Rick... I especially like the last one. Interesting facts, too. Perhaps you have a project- you could collect enough Milkweed to make a Jacket for the coming winter!
:)
Fascinating info.This post reminded me to check on a patch of milkweed we found last year,at the right time it would make for some great photo ops.
Blessings,Ruth
@darlin - thank you Darlene; there were some facts I didn't know either !
Hope your weekend was a good one.
@CarreraCaballo - thank you Joseph; apparently there are about 100 varieties world wide, so likely a few in Europe too.
@becky - thanks Becky !
LOL - I might just have enough milkweed to do that ;-) I think it could quickly become a full-time job though! Maybe I should apply for a government grant :)
@Ruth's Photo Blog - I forgot to make some photos while they were in bloom - next year! Yes, you can get some great shots when the pods dry and split and the hairs start flying around.
de belles images, toute douces !
bisous
Nice shots, Rick !! I gotta get out there and find some milkweed! Your photos give me inspiration !! :)
@marty - merci beaucoup marty! Have a great week; bisous !!
@bonifer - thank you; they do make great subjects - esp. when they're blowin' in the wind !
Very Very beautiful. Wildflowers are so very interesting and unique. Hope all is well with you.
PS .. Its cool at night already in Alberta and we have had a lot of rain. Fall is in the air with a slight change in the leaves already.
@Lisa RedWillow - thank you Lisa; I agree - wildflowers make very good photo subjects. That's a bit unusual for so much rain in Alberta in August - I recall putting the lawnmower away in July and getting it out again in Sept (we lived just west of Calgary). I'm hoping summer hangs in for a while yet.
Thanks for stopping by Lisa!
Could you not find a monarch in the milkweed? Beautiful pictures though!
@Julia - sorry Julia, there weren't any there. I still have to get a butterfly one of these days!
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