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Monarchs & Milkweed

What’s the problem? Monarchs have evolved over thousands of years with the native milkweed upon which they depend. But habitat loss, wide use of herbicides and genetically modified crops, and frequent roadside mowing have decreased the occurrence of milkweeds ( species) throughout and the U.S. This has contributed to the steep decline of Monarch Danaus( plexippus) populations. Our love and concern for Monarchs has increased interest in milkweed — the butterfly’s primary host . How you can help Homeowners can support Monarchs by planting native milkweeds in their landscapes. There are 21 Florida native milkweed species, three of which are available at Florida native nurseries.

Butterflyweed () is the most Why aren’t native widely recognized native milkweed. Its showy milkweed plants widely clusters of bright reddish- bloom available? late spring through fall. This native wildflower grows 12 to 15 inches high in a bushy form Although these plants are robust in and has coarse lance- or oval-shaped leaves. Florida’s natural habitats, they can Because it grows naturally in sandy habitats, it be difficult to propagate using typical

Photo by Stacey Matrazzo adapts well to dry landscapes. horticultural practices. Because native milkweeds are a larval food source, butterfly larvae may devour milkweed Pink swamp milkweed () foliage before the plants can be is found in moderate to moist sunny habitats, brought to market. where it grows 2 to 4 feet tall. It blooms in summer with very showy light pink- to - What we are doing colored clusters. Its fleshy linear leaves Through research and education, grow up to 6 inches. the Florida Wildflower Foundation, Photo by Mary Keim Florida Museum of Natural History and other partners are working to expand Monarch breeding habitat and White swamp milkweed () increase the commercial availability of is a shorter bushy plant growing to about native milkweeds. 2 feet. Summer flowerheads are small with white to light-pink flowers. Bright green leaves are lance-shaped. It prefers moist to wet soil conditions and can adapt to shady locations. Where can I purchase Photo by Peg Urban native milkweed plants? • Visit www.PlantRealFlorida.org to locate a native nursery near you. Did you know? Several also offer mail-order plants.

Queen and Soldier • Look for native milkweed plants at also use native regional native plant sales. Many milkweeds as host plants are hosted by Florida Native Plant for their . Society chapters. To find a chapter Many other butterflies, near you, visit www.FNPS.org. native , and other insect • Encourage your local garden center utilize the blossoms. Photo by Peg Urban to carry native species.

© 2020 Florida Wildflower Foundation • 225 S. Swoope Ave., Suite 110, Maitland, FL 32751 • 407-622-1606 How Tropical milkweed can harm Monarchs Insecticides Tropical milkweed () is native to Commercially grown milkweed plants and Central America. are sometimes treated with systemic It is widely available at insecticides to keep pests off of them, Florida’s mainstream nurseries giving them a better appearance at and big-box stores because it retail nurseries. However, pesticides is easy to grow. However, the can harm Monarch caterpillars that feed use of Tropical milkweed can on their leaves. potentially harm the Monarch. What we are doing Commercially purchased The Florida Wildflower Foundation Tropical milkweed plants are is sponsoring research at the Florida often treated with systemic Museum of Natural History that is chemicals that can be very Photo by Peg Urban documenting the effect of various toxic to Monarch larvae, Tropical milkweed insecticides on Monarch increasing mortality rates. mortality. This information will help Tropical milkweed also has been linked to the transmission of growers produce the best plants Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), a protozoan parasite. When OE spores possible without harming Monarch infect milkweed leaves, they can be carried on the bodies of adult caterpillars. butterflies, which spread the infection to other butterflies. Microscopic spores on the bodies of infected caterpillars are spread to eggs, and infected larvae may not emerge from pupal stage or may emerge as very weak adults. The use of non-native Tropical milkweed is believed to encourage Monarchs to overwinter in Florida instead of migrating, making them more susceptible to OE. The plant also may escape into natural areas, causing further disruption of migration paths. By staying in Florida and continuously breeding, Monarchs are subject to death from food shortages and freezing temperatures. Although not documented scientifically, the higher concentration of toxin in Tropical milkweed also may have adverse effects.

Act responsibly Photo by Peg Urban Digging up wild milkweed and collecting can reduce its ability Monarch plants to reproduce. Plant these natives along with • Do not attempt to dig up wild plants. milkweed to provide nectar to • Do not collect wild seed unless you first have permission from the Monarchs: landowner. Blazing star (Liatris spp.) • If you have permission to harvest, take no more than 10 percent Snow squarestem (Melantherea nivea) of the available seed. Chaffhead Carphephorus( spp.) Climbing aster (Symphyotrichum carolinianum) White crownbeard (Verbesina virginica) More information Flattop goldenrod (Euthamia caroliniana) • Florida Wildflower Foundation (www.FlaWildflowers.org) Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) • Florida Museum of Natural History Mistflower Conoclinum( coelestinum) (www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-butterflies/brochures/) Scorpiontail (Heliotropium • Monarch Joint Venture (www.monarchjointventure.org) angiospermum) • Monarch Watch (www.monarchwatch.org) Spanish needles (Bidens alba) • Xerces Society (www.xerces.org/monarchs) Yellowtop (Flaveria linearis)

Help save Monarch butterflies.Your purchase of the Florida Wildflower license plate supports Monarch research and the planting of native milkweed. Get yours today at your county tag office. Produced in partnership with the Florida Scenic Highways program. More information at www.FloridaScenicHighways.com.