Common Milkweed

Common Milkweed

 

Common Milkweed

I think that most of us are aware of a plant blooming now which is called Common Milkweed.  It's seeds fly in the fall and resemble the above.  It has stems of about 1/2" to 3/4" and large oval leaves.  If the plant is damaged it "bleeds" a white milky looking fluid which is very sticky to the touch.  And, I might add, quite difficult to remove from your skin.

Milkweed Seed

As mentioned earlier the seeds fly.  I brought some seeds home 5 to 10 years ago and planted them behind the garage.  I looking the next year to see if they grew but there was no sign of them.  I may have replanted and waited again.  Finally about 3 to 4 years ago, the plant emerged but was not exceedingly robust.  It did not bloom.

Common Milkweed with Seed Pods

Last year it bloomed, surprising me, and looked like this in October.  Need I mention that I was full of joy at this development?

Bumble Bee on Milkweed Bloom

This year the plant drew me away from mineral photomicrography, in the basement, to insect photography, done behind the garage.  It took me back in my mind to the nature center when I used to photograph insects all summer and enjoy it.  It refreshed my heart!

Follow Larry's Images on Instagram:  http://instagram.com/leleicher45/

Culver's Root

Culver's Root

Culver's Root

I began photographing this plant in the early 21st Century.  That is also the time during which I became aware of it's existence.  It usually blooms in July around here.  Several years ago my yardman planted it for me here at home.

Culver's Root

Wikipedia gives the following information about it:  It is in the plantain family, grows up to 79 in. tall and 18 in. broad.  It is an herbaceous perennial plant with slender racemes of white, occasionally pink of purple.  It is also known as Culver's-root, Culverphysic, Culver's physic, bowman's root and black root.

When I typed these names, I wondered if it might be used for intestinal evacuation aid and I found that it can be.

The leaves are serrated and arranged in whorls of 3-7 around the stem.  I have photographs of plants with each of these numbers of whorls. 

Follow Larry's Images on Instagram:  http://instagram.com/leleicher45/