IHA: tropical milkweed seeds

The lovely tropical milkweed has seeds ready. It is considered an annual this far north (Cincinnati). It's my first year with it, so I don't know if it will reseed itself. These are one of my favorite leaves to feed the younger caterpillars - very soft & tender. When I came home last night, I collected 31 eggs off of it, so the mama monarch likes it, too! Send me a pm if you would like some of these lovely seeds.

BUMP

Nancy, I just wanted to thank you for the lovely milkweed seeds you sent me. I'm going to start them this weekend in hopes of getting some good roots going before winter.... maybe it will be big enough in the spring to attract some butterflies?

Thanks for bumping this thread. Nancy, will these grow in 5a?

Just to be clear, she sent me a different variety, a white one. I can't wait!

Thanks, Nancy.

Those have pretty bloom colors...I sent you a pm. I'm going to try planting some seeds before the weather turns cool, too. I'm looking forward to attracting more lovely butterflies this spring/summer.

Do you know the name of this specific tropical milkweed (if it has a name!)? Here is a site with names and some nice pics, but I couldn't find any to match the lovely orange/yellow ones you have.

http://www.butterflyencounters.com/milkweedphotos/index.html

Thanks for sharing,
Rhonda

I was curious, too. (The flowers almost look like Lantana! Leaves completely different, though.)

Here are the latin names:

Butterfly Weed: asclepias tuberosa
Swamp Millkweed "Ice Ballet": asclepias incarnata sup. incarnata
Tropical Milkweed: asclepias curassavica
Swamp Milkweed (the lavender one): asclepias incarnata sub. pulchra
Showy Milkweed: asclepias speciosa

So far, I only have seeds for the white swamp weed and the tropical milkweed. The other 3 do not yet have seed pods - or at least open ones. I think all but the tropical require some period of cold. The tropical is considered an annual this far north (camprn - yes, it will be fine in 5a). It's my first year with it and I'm anxious to see if it will reseed itself. It is one of my favorites for feeding the caterpillars. The leaves get long and stay tender.

Thanks for the interest. Monarchwatch.org has tons of great information on butterflies and milkweeds. I ordered a variety seed pack from them a few years ago. I'll get available seeds out asap.