Carolus Linnaeus named the genus after Asklepios, the Greek god of healing, because of the many folk-medicinal uses for the milkweed plants. Clemson

Native Americans used the tough inside fibers of this plant to make rope and fishing nets.

They also used it as a medicine. The sap of the milkweed was used to treat warts.

They even sweetened things with the nectar of the flowers!

Milkweed Silk was used, by the government, as stuffing for life jackets.

EEK! - Signs of Summer Milkweed facts

Conduct a milkweed check-up to check for signs of pollution

Some birds use milkweed plants, too.

Fact: Ecology is the study of the interactions between living things and their environment.

Next page

Milkweed & Monarch Butterfly Mania main page

Leaf anatomy observation information off site

A cluster of common milkweed plants growing along a country road.

Measuring the impact of ozone using Common Milkweed

Monarch Butterfly & Caterpillars