We took some time to observe and learn about milkweed seeds as part of this challenge.
"The milkweed pod has been the admiration of nature students from the beginning, and surely there are few plants structures that so interest the child as this house in which the milkweed carries its seeds."
Milkweed pods opening
"No sooner is our treasure open to the air than the shining silk begins to separate into floss of fairy texture."
"...and altogether there are enough of the threads to float the seed, a balloon of the safest sort."
Handbook of Nature Study, page 493
The Handbook of Nature Study has a complete section of information and observation suggestions on pages 491-495.
We are going to plant some milkweed in our butterfly garden this year. I ordered the seeds from this website. We did not gather the milkweed seeds that are in the photos since we were at Yosemite National Park and it is against the law to gather seeds in a national park. :)
Here are a few more photos from our day.
Thistles
Oak leaves and acorns
Meadow and late afternoon light
I will keep you posted on growing milkweed in our garden.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
