Around our area swamp weed appears to be almost as common as Common Milkweed. It can be identified by its significantly finer leaves and smaller flower heads. Like other milkweeds, it has an uncommon ability to support one of our most showy butterflies, the monarch. It’s sap, mildly poisonous to humans and many species of animals and birds, is tolerated by the monarch who absorbs the poison as a caterpillar munching on the plant’s leaves and becomes, itself, poisonous. What a super power!

Here in Cottage Grove, you’ll find swamp milkweed all over in the sun. It grows happily in the GDS school prairie patches, McCarthy Park, in undeveloped lots along the roadside, and in my garden. Like an increasing number of gardeners, I allow it to grow wherever it arrives in the garden to make space for the monarchs. It seems to be less likely than Common Milkweed to appear in unexpected places in the yard, though, and blends in well to flower beds.