Emerge in Spring

In Central Pennsylvania, the milkweed plants emerge in mid spring.

Common milkweed plants grow up from the roots in a rocket shape. The leaves are tucked tight to the stem.

As the stem grows taller the lower leaves relax down to be parallel to the ground. The leaves are very short at the tip of the plant and get larger as you go down the stem.

During the growing season, the leaves will grow wider and longer.

Measuring Milkweeds activity

In the fall, many of the lower leaves many be bending downward pointing towards the ground.

In early May, the migrating monarch butterflies have not yet returned to this region. I do not see any monarch caterpillars on the newly emerged plants. Many other insects are active and can be observed on the plants.

Collecting Data activity

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Leaf anatomy observation information off site

Click on the picture for a much larger (closer) view.

Milkweed crossword Puzzle

Measuring Milkweed project | Chart Milkweed growth

Milkweed Symmetry | Science Journal entry

Watch Green Thumbs video - future channel
Conduct the experiment. What are your findings?

Do this Life Cycle activity to learn about flowers

Plant Glossary