Milkweed seeds are flat and oval-shaped, and they are usually about a quarter of an inch long. They’re typically a light brown or tan color.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of milkweed seeds is their attachment to a structure known as a coma or “floss.” The floss is a cluster of thin, white, filament-like structures that are soft and fluffy to the touch, somewhat like a feather or a piece of cotton candy. Each individual filament is attached at one end to the seed. The purpose of the floss is to help the seed disperse on the wind; when a milkweed pod opens, the seeds can be carried away on their fluffy parachutes.
The seeds are usually packed tightly together inside the milkweed pod, which is a large, oblong structure that starts out green and then turns brown as it matures and dries out. When the pod opens, it reveals the seeds packed in layers, each one attached to its own bit of floss. The overall visual effect is something like a neatly packed sardine can, but with seeds and floss instead of fish. When touched, the seeds with their attached floss have a dry, light, and somewhat silky feel. If you were to lightly blow on a detached seed and its floss, you would feel it lift and float away, demonstrating its wind-dispersal adaptation.
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I hope this gives you a good sense of what milkweed seeds are like! The more we learn about the requirements of the Monarch Butterfly, the better suited we are to care for these magical creatures… one day at a time!
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Johnny Butterflyseed and his fairy friend, Raven Silverwing, embark on a mission to save the rapidly disappearing butterflies. They enlist the help of Queen Venus Goldwing and her kingdom of monarchs to educate and inspire kids to become butterfly farmers. At first, Johnny faces his own internal struggle with self-doubt and fear in his ability to make a difference, but then soon develops a mindset that allows him to not only get started, but also make progress one day at a time. Through challenge after challenge, Johnny learns that he is not alone in his mission and that there are many people who want to help. Together, Johnny, Raven, and Queen Venus educate thousands of children on becoming butterfly farmers.