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To Tropical or not to Tropical

1/20/2015

7 Comments

 
Tropical milkweed has received a tremendous amount of press the past year or so. Many articles in a wide range of publications and blogs have questioned the use of Asclepias curassavica as a safe food source for Monarch larvae. In warm climates where tropical milkweed is a perennial there is an increase of the protozoan infection infecting Monarchs called Ophryocytis elektrosirrha  or Oe. Like many of you I have fretted about the issue and if there is one thing we can all agree on I think it is this; we are all anxious about the fate of the Monarch and want to do the right thing for them and the environment. None of us wants to contribute to the problem.
I have read the articles, contacted professors, conferred with knowledgeable friends who are involved in raising Monarchs each year and have decided that I will continue to offer Tropical Milkweed this coming season. My decision is partially based on the fact that the problem with TM occurs when it is located in an area without hard freezes. In Oklahoma it will die during the first frost. It is no more likely to spread Oe than any other milkweed that happens to still have green leaves at the first frost.
Another reason I will continue to grow it is because of the scarcity of other milkweeds after we have gone through a hot Oklahoma summer. In late August and early September when the Monarchs begin to migrate and are looking for host plants the only reliable milkweeds still viable are Swamp Milkweed (perhaps), TM and Bluevine. I like Bluevine--I adore all our native milkweeds, but good luck getting people to plant to plant Bluevine. It can be a tad exuberant if you know what I mean.  
If I were in charge of the world I would require that every yard in the U.S. have at least half a dozen native milkweeds. Unfortunately I'm not in charge, and even then some yards don't have the right conditions for milkweeds. So, I will plant my TM, let the Bluevine go crazy as it grows through the asters and the Beautyberry and nurture the Swamp MW so it will hang in there for the fall. Hopefully a Monarch will come along and grace some plants with eggs.
I will keep an open mind about the issue, I also welcome any comments or discussion on the issue.
            
7 Comments
Matt
3/1/2015 01:12:25 am

This came to my attention a week ago when I heard a science podcast talking about this very issue. One thing they pointed out was that it was fine as long as the milkweed died back, which it seems it does well in this cold, or if it doesn't, to cut it back. Long story short, I would agree with you, that it will do well here. Have you or anyone you know ever sent samples on to the lab that is referred to in the article below?
http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2015/01/plan-save-monarch-butterflies-backfires

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Diane
4/20/2015 06:11:02 am

Thanks so much for this blog. I too, had been concerned about what I read regarding TM, and had not quite made up my mind whether or not to keep it in my yard. My native milkweed does not appear to tempt the Monarchs at all. I have a nice, big patch of it right in the middle of the lawn and my husband dutifully mows around it but the Monarchs prefer the TM. I'll keep the TM, especially since it has come out and has blossom buds on it.

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Coleen
9/16/2015 03:59:20 pm

So I bought some milkweed plants before I read an article about the tropical milkweed plants I bought them from prairie winds and decided they were probably native and not tropical. I take it you will continue to sell the tropical because people are more apt to buy them because bluevine grows too fast and swamp milkweed is difficult to keep alive through fall? Guess I got that right. But, if I in fact have bought the tropical then I should cut them back in October? And what does that mean? Make sure there are no flowers? Appreciate any response, I am just trying to do the right thing by the environment but kind of overwhelmed. Also appreciate the work you and others do to help change the culture of landscaping, etc. OH and did get with Prairie Winds to pick up plants. I guess his
helpers were there but he was out-of-town, so I could not contact anyone. Coleen Woody P.S. some day I will do something nice for you to repay you for all the questions you have answered and time I have taken.

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Coleen
2/15/2016 05:33:47 pm

(Adding to this after writing, so I can get straight to my question and save your time...(weird, some people do NOT want to read or listen to my every word!!) Is the Zizote milkweed one of the ones you mention above? And, if not, is there a reason not try planting it? I mention below that I am going to be moving to 2 1/4 acres and would like to try this, unless for some reason it is not feasible. THANKS, if you have the inclination and time to reply. Understand, if you don't.

After googling to purchase seeds or plants of the three milkweed plants I mentioned in my previous post, it would appear that the first two are difficult to grow. I am not sure about the Zizotes Milkweed
(Asclepias oenotheroides). Also, at least one of the other two mentioned being poisonous to people and moreso for children and maybe elderly(?) can't remember. The Zizotes were said to be poisonous to cattle I believe. So, unless they are really difficult to grow, I am wondering if you believe they would be a good idea to try. Am moving to 2 and 1/4 acres and would like to help the butterflies, plus the site that was selling them mentioned: VALUE TO BENEFICIAL INSECTS
Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

Oh and just now I found this regarding toxicity. All plants in the genus Asclepias are probably somewhat toxic, some fatally so, to both humans and animals. The sap of some causes skin irritation in humans. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil. Thus, I guess this is an issue with all milkweed.

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Coleen
2/15/2016 05:05:23 pm

Are Swamp Milkweed and bluevine two of the ones mentioned below? I found this article which mentions 3 milkweed plants for Ok and Tx that are not the tropical. I am wondering if you do not find them viable because they are difficult to find (of course, two may be ones you have mentioned and given a reason.)
These are the plants that are to be planted in OK and Tx. ( from this link which references which milkweed plants to use in the U.S. by region http://monarchjointventure.org/.../MilkweedFactSheetFINAL...) GreenAntelopehorn Milkweed
Asclepias viridis
Dry areas and prairies. Also
known as green milkweed.

Antelopehorns Milkweed
Asclepias asperula
Desert and sandy areas.

Zizotes Milkweed
Asclepias oenotheroides
Sandy/rocky prairies and fields.

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Erinn link
1/1/2021 02:20:22 pm

Great blog you have herre

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Jim Herndon
8/20/2022 11:27:41 am

Last year I had quite a few deformed monarchs and also several chrysalis that did not mature. I am fairly sure that it was because of the tropical milkweed. Therefore I am removing all of it and will only plant other kinds of milkweed.

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