Smitten with Butterflies

For those of us smitten with butterflies, per chance some good news on the horizon and just when butterflies are noticeably in decline if last summer was an accurate indicator.  Monarchs were few and far between this year on my little patch though some folk reported otherwise.  

The good news is that some one in Quebec has discovered that the downy fibers contained in the Milkweed Pod are very effective in absorbing oil and could be used in cleaning up small oil spills.  Parks Canada is going to keep a supply on hand in the eventuality of an oil spill (God forbid).  The milkweed, long detested by farmers may become a lucrative venture for farmers to plant.    Milkweed is a host plant and a nectar plant for the Monarch Butterfly.  Who knows, perhaps it could be used on large scale spills as well.

Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), found growing along roadsides, and in waste places always seemed a pretty plant to me.  I found it hard to take the scythe to it.   Of course I was thrilled when a neighbour gave me some of his Asclepias tuberosa which is otherwise known as Butterfly weed.  A close cousin to Milkweed it surely lives up to its common name.  Butterflies just love it.

Milkweed plantations over vast areas of North America can only help the Monarch butterflies on their long migrations.

For more on the discovery of the attributes of milkweed and plantation possibilities, follow the link.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/milkweed-touted-as-oil-spill-super-sucker-with-butterfly-benefits-1.2856029

Milkweed attracts all butterflies including members of the family of the Brushfooted butterflies