The Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is native to the western United States and Canada. Its globed-shaped flower clusters and long fuzzy leaves provide nectar and a place to lay eggs for the North American Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Monarch larvae feed exclusively on the toxic foliage of milkweeds, making them distasteful to predators. Monarchs can journey thousands of miles to hibernate in Mexico and Southern California. A significant reduction in migrating monarchs is attributed to the loss of native milk-weed plants, due partly to increased herbicide use.

Image Size: 12″ x 18″
Frame Size: 18″ x 24″