Dogbane or Milkweed

[Mona Miller]

Many new to growing Monarchs soon run into this issue. They go out and pick leaves of what they think is milkweed, but their caterpillars begin to die and they don't know why. Your milkweed isn't milkweed, it is dogbane.

http://www.countrysidemag.com/issues/87 ... hayer.html
Milkweed
A truly remarkable wild vegetable

http://www.lifestrands.org/pages/monarc ... _tips.html
Good tips for growing monarchs and identifying dogbane

http://www.stoptheride.net/2007/05/comm ... s-and.html
Good picture of dogbane and milkweed side by side. They often grow together. They are in the same family.

[loretta]

Gerat links for the milkweed.!
I plan to forage a little for myself, as the field that I had my eye on is about to be cut, and there is some tender shoots just coming up. I will also dig up some plants and transplant to the plot I am preparing.

I photographed dogbane and milkweed growing right next to each other just yesterday !

[Mona Miller]

I haven't made it yet to my field that hasn't been developed yet. It saddens me to see all the large building complexes and subdivisions going in around here. My common milkweed is traveling here and there in my yard. It is hard to mow in a straight line anymore because I have to avoid the plants. But, I love it. It is blooming now and the smell is intoxicating.