sofo milkweed
the lovely milkweed. the only food for monarch butterflies.
www.monarch-butterfly.com/monarch-conservation.html
"Milkweed (Asclepius) named by Carl Linneaus for the Greek god medicine and healing, Asclepius.
Son of Apollo and Coronis, father of five daughters: Hygia (“Hygiene”), Laso (“Medicine”), Aceso (“Healing”), Aglæa/Ægle (“Healthy glow), and Panacea (“Universal remedy”). The snake-entwined staff, often used as symbol in the medical world, is the rod of Asclepius."...
More interesting tidbits:
" ....American Indian tribes used milkweed floss to line the beds of their infants, as well as blankets and clothing for adults.
During the 19th century, there was a thriving milkweed industry in Massachusetts, which used milkweed floss primarily to stuff mattresses.
In World War Two, the Japanese cut off America's supply of kapok, a natural fiber used to stuff life jackets for sailors. Milkweed floss proved to be a perfect alternative. Milkweed floss is 6-8 times more buoyant than cork. A single pound can keep a 100-150 pound man afloat for hours. The United States government enlisted schoolchildren across the nation to collect milkweed pods as part of the war effort. By the end of the war, it is estimated that they had gathered 11 million pounds.
In addition to life vests, the floss was also used for bomber jackets, because it provided a lightweight yet warm lining for the jackets, and could double as a life vest in case of a water landing. (learn more here: kerryg.hubpages.com/hub/The-Amazing-Milkweed)
sofo milkweed
the lovely milkweed. the only food for monarch butterflies.
www.monarch-butterfly.com/monarch-conservation.html
"Milkweed (Asclepius) named by Carl Linneaus for the Greek god medicine and healing, Asclepius.
Son of Apollo and Coronis, father of five daughters: Hygia (“Hygiene”), Laso (“Medicine”), Aceso (“Healing”), Aglæa/Ægle (“Healthy glow), and Panacea (“Universal remedy”). The snake-entwined staff, often used as symbol in the medical world, is the rod of Asclepius."...
More interesting tidbits:
" ....American Indian tribes used milkweed floss to line the beds of their infants, as well as blankets and clothing for adults.
During the 19th century, there was a thriving milkweed industry in Massachusetts, which used milkweed floss primarily to stuff mattresses.
In World War Two, the Japanese cut off America's supply of kapok, a natural fiber used to stuff life jackets for sailors. Milkweed floss proved to be a perfect alternative. Milkweed floss is 6-8 times more buoyant than cork. A single pound can keep a 100-150 pound man afloat for hours. The United States government enlisted schoolchildren across the nation to collect milkweed pods as part of the war effort. By the end of the war, it is estimated that they had gathered 11 million pounds.
In addition to life vests, the floss was also used for bomber jackets, because it provided a lightweight yet warm lining for the jackets, and could double as a life vest in case of a water landing. (learn more here: kerryg.hubpages.com/hub/The-Amazing-Milkweed)