Milkweeds are flourishing in the Plains, Fayette Prairie, and Upper Coastal Prairies of Texas

During the months of July and August many landscapes in Texas have received very little rain and consequently milkweeds are scarce. However, in late July through August while traveling and conducting botanical survey in the Rolling Plains, High Plains, and Upper Coast of Texas, a few landscapes have received rain that has initiated an amazing response from several of our native milkweeds. While traveling through Brady, Texas and on to San Angelo, Big Springs, Lamesa, and Plains, Texas, I made observations of broad-leaf milkweed (Asclepias latifolia) which was abundant along highway rights of way. This past two weeks while traveling though the Fayette Prairie and Upper Coastal Prairie Counties from La Grange across through Beeville, Sealy, and Brookshire, Texas, I encountered Zizotes (Asclepias oenotheroides) and green milkweed (Asclepias viridis) profusely flowering and fruiting. I encourage all milkweed enthusiasts that live in or nearby these regions of Texas to get out and make observations. Its prime milkweed time!

I also want to send a special thanks to our newest curator Mr. Gregg Lee for contributing his services to the Milkweeds and Monarchs Project as well as lending his expertise regarding the life cycles of green milkweed (Asclepias viridis) and antelopehorns (Asclepias asperula). I also want to thank all of the observers that have contributed to this project thus far. It appears we should be receiving ample rainfall over the next few weeks, hopefully in time for the return of monarchs.

Posted on Σεπτέμβριος 08, 2015 0718 ΜΜ by jsinghurst