{"id":10083,"date":"2017-11-13T07:00:51","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T12:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=10083"},"modified":"2017-11-13T09:55:44","modified_gmt":"2017-11-13T14:55:44","slug":"take-5-magnificent-milkweed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-magnificent-milkweed\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Magnificent Milkweed"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may have spotted big puffs of cotton-like fluff growing on waist-high stems in a lot of meadows recently. There’s a good chance you’re witnessing the opening of the seed pods of the milkweed plant!\u00a0In the fall, milkweed pods open up and release their fluffy, downy seeds to drift away on the wind and hopefully produce new plants the following year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t let the “weed” part of the name fool you: this lovely native plant presents a variety of unique flowers (there are more than 70 species native to the United States!), attracts butterflies, feeds and protects a variety of insects, provides nesting material for goldfinches and orioles, and is amazingly easy to grow. More than 60 different insects need milkweed to complete their life cycle, most notably the beloved monarch butterfly, which feeds almost exclusively on milkweed.<\/p>\n

To celebrate this important and beautiful plant, here are five photos of milkweed pods and seeds from our Picture This: Your Great Outdoors<\/a> photo contest.<\/p>\n

\"Milkweed

Milkweed \u00a9 Barbara K. Mindell<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Milkweed

Milkweed \u00a9 Ruby Sarkar<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Milkweed

Milkweed \u00a9 John Zywar<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Milkweed

Milkweed \u00a9 Patricia LaHaie<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Milkweed

Milkweed \u00a9 Juliet Goodman<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You may have spotted big puffs of cotton-like fluff growing on waist-high stems in a lot of meadows recently. There’s a good chance you’re witnessing the opening of the seed pods of the milkweed plant!\u00a0In the fall, milkweed pods open up and release their fluffy, downy seeds to drift away on the wind and hopefully […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":10090,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[192,83,84],"class_list":["post-10083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-take-5","tag-milkweed","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/11\/1693BarbaraKMindell5898_fi.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-2CD","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":288,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/dont-weed-the-milkweed\/","url_meta":{"origin":10083,"position":0},"title":"Don’t Weed the Milkweed!","author":"Kristin S.","date":"July 10, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"If a gardening catalog offered a plant that sported unique flowers, attracted butterflies, fed and protected the beloved monarch butterfly, provided nesting material for goldfinches and orioles, was easy to grow, and was native to our state, wouldn\u2019t we be eager to plant some in our gardens? So, what is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gardening"","block_context":{"text":"Gardening","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/gardening\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16367,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-munchin-on-milkweed\/","url_meta":{"origin":10083,"position":1},"title":"Take 5: Munchin’ On Milkweed","author":"Ryan D.","date":"September 20, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"It's well-known that Monarch caterpillars (the larval form of Monarch butterflies) rely on plants in the milkweed family as their sole source of food. But milkweeds actually support many different insects, in addition to Monarchs. Most notably, this includes two insects in the seed bug family\u2014large milkweed bugs and small\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Red Milkweed Beetle on Common Milkweed \u00a9 Jenny Schule","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/09\/6637Jenny_Schule34218-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/09\/6637Jenny_Schule34218-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/09\/6637Jenny_Schule34218-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/09\/6637Jenny_Schule34218-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16992,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/pollinator-plant-duos\/","url_meta":{"origin":10083,"position":2},"title":"Pollinator Plant Duos","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"June 21, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Within buzzing meadows and grasslands, insects of all shapes and sizes are getting to work. These critters may look like they are aimlessly bouncing from flower to flower, but they are fueling themselves up and pollinating in the process. Pollen sticks to the antenna, bodies, and appendages of an insect,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/06\/KForesto-2615-750x500-95a192d0-b388-473a-8c53-ebe8f24807ef.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/06\/KForesto-2615-750x500-95a192d0-b388-473a-8c53-ebe8f24807ef.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/06\/KForesto-2615-750x500-95a192d0-b388-473a-8c53-ebe8f24807ef.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/06\/KForesto-2615-750x500-95a192d0-b388-473a-8c53-ebe8f24807ef.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15439,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-native-plants-that-pollinators-love\/","url_meta":{"origin":10083,"position":3},"title":"Take 5: Native Plants that Pollinators Love","author":"Ryan D.","date":"April 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"It's not an exaggeration to say that the biodiversity of our entire ecosystem depends on pollinators. Animals like birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, and other insects feed on plants, and in doing so, help 80% of the world's plant species reproduce. Over the last few decades, pollinator populations have declined\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gardening"","block_context":{"text":"Gardening","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/gardening\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Common Milkweed \u00a9 Laura Ferraguto","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/4577Laura_Ferraguto33550.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/4577Laura_Ferraguto33550.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/4577Laura_Ferraguto33550.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/4577Laura_Ferraguto33550.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8753,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-tips-for-attracting-butterflies\/","url_meta":{"origin":10083,"position":4},"title":"5 Tips for Attracting Butterflies","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Sure butterflies can be found frolicking in open meadows on warm, breezy summer days, but these exuberant and colorful insects can also be found in your own backyard\u2014if you play your cards right! What does it take to bring the flutter closer to home? Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary Conservation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Common-wood-nymph-via-Rosemary-Mosco-at-Graves-Farm-640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Common-wood-nymph-via-Rosemary-Mosco-at-Graves-Farm-640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Common-wood-nymph-via-Rosemary-Mosco-at-Graves-Farm-640.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9758,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-good-year-for-monarchs\/","url_meta":{"origin":10083,"position":5},"title":"A Good Year for Monarchs?","author":"Hillary T.","date":"September 12, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"During the last week of August, Regional Scientist Robert Buchsbaum and several Mass Audubon naturalists and scientists took a field trip to Conway Hills Wildlife Sanctuary just west of the Connecticut River in Conway, MA. While there, they were pleasantly surprised by what they saw. Here's Robert's report: --- The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/09\/monarch600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/09\/monarch600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/09\/monarch600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10083"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10105,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10083\/revisions\/10105"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}