Milkweed: Far from being a “weed”!

Sometimes mistakenly considered a “weed”, milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a plant of many purposes.

Not only is it essential to the survival of the monarch butterfly, it could also revolutionize the textile industry and much more! Learn more about this highly beneficial plant and join us in protecting it!

Is milkweed a “weed”?

Still largely unknown, milkweed is trampled underfoot, mowed, pulled out, etc. In other words, it gets little attention. Yet the natural, biodegradable fiber derived from this plant has unique and exceptional virtues that deserve to be recognized.

The fiber of the future!

The silk from milkweed seeds is particularly interesting. This “wadding” is an excellent insulator, as warm as goose down. It also repels water and can absorb up to 15 times its volume in oil (or petroleum), making it particularly effective in the event of oil spills, especially in bodies of water.

A flourishing industry!

Milkweed fiber is currently being tested as a substitute for down in the manufacturing of clothing and sleeping bags. Since it does not absorb moisture, it could outperform down, which loses its insulating properties when wet. Milkweed production is booming and could revolutionize the textile industry. What's more, milkweed grows on poor soils and requires no fertilizers, which keeps production costs down. From this standpoint, milkweed farming could provide a lucrative market... And to think that some consider it a bad weed!

A plant with many uses!

• Promising medicinal properties,
• Certain parts are edible if properly prepared,
• Guaranteed aesthetic value in landscaping,
• Attracts pollinators,
• Essential to the survival of the monarch butterfly,
• A natural fiber that provides thermal and acoustic insulation, repels water, absorbs oil and that can replace silk, cotton and down.

A perfect pair!

Milkweed and monarch butterflies are intimately linked. Conserving milkweed is essential to the monarch's survival.

The female monarch lays her eggs solely on this plant, and the caterpillars grow there, consuming milkweed leaves exclusively. Milkweed sap gives the butterfly a certain toxicity, protecting it from predators who will avoid eating it. The monarch's vivid colour serves as a warning to those who would dare to eat it.

Once mature, the caterpillar becomes a beautiful emerald-coloured chrysalis, from which the majestic butterfly emerges.

Migration, a family tradition!

Despite its small size, the monarch can travel more than 4,000 km per year with the precision of a compass! The Monarch breeds in Quebec during the summer, and it's the September-born young that make the long migration to Mexico. A feat they accomplish in a mere two and a half months. All the monarchs from eastern Canada then head for the pine forests of central Mexico to overwinter. In spring, the monarchs mate at the overwintering site before setting off on their northward migration. Before they die, the females lay their eggs on milkweed plants found on the way home. The new generation of monarchs takes over, continuing the migration started by their parents towards Quebec. Given their short lifespan (one month) and the length of the journey, it's the offspring of the fourth generation that will reach our region.