Common milkweed

Common milkweed is a plant with several surprising characteristics.

The monarch butterfly, a migratory species designated as endangered in Canada, depends on this plant for survival. Monarch eggs and caterpillars develop on the plant, which represents their sole source of food. It is the toxic latex of the milkweed that gives the monarch its unpleasant taste, preventing it from being eaten by birds.

The seeds of milkweed are attached to silken threads that allow them to be dispersed by the wind. These threads, once harvested, can be woven into a high-quality fabric.

Furthermore, the young shoots, flower buds, and young fruits of the milkweed are edible.

However, it is important to know that the plant contains substances that can affect the heart, making it potentially toxic.

Source: Common Milkweed - Information | Wildflowers of Quebec (fleursduquebec.com)