Pescadero Permaculture Paradise
Milkweed - Asclepias curassavica
This beautiful flower feeds caterpillars (notably monarch larvae) and is as a food and medicine in many areas.
The cardiac glycosides are toxic and are thought to be used when hunting in several hunter / gatherer tribes.
Milkweed, particularly the young shoots and the flower buds are edible. I have not eaten this particular variety of milkweed but my understanding is that the cooked shoots and flower buds are edible.
Most well known as a resource plant for monarch butterflies. I have seen other types of butterflies/caterpillars on my milkweed here in Pesadero and I have not noticed many monarchs. There is some contention that planting too much milkweed OUTSIDE of its native distribution could adversely effect monarch migratory patterns (largely due to the fact that this blooms all year long which could decrease migration.)
