The Many Names of Asclepias Tuberosa

Most commonly known as “Butterflyweed,” Asclepias tuberosa might be the most widely distributed milkweed species in North America. It is certainly native to most areas of North America. Other names include “Orange Butterflyweed,” and “Butterfly Milkweed,” both of which are accurate, in that they are orange, and butterflies love them, along with many other pollinators. …

Fresh Butterfly Milkweed Seeds Now Available

Johnny Butterflyseed has released Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias Tuberosa) seed packs meant to support the endangered Monarch Butterfly (Danauus plexipus) across most of North America. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias Tuberosa), also known as “Butterfly Weed,” produce unique, orange flowers that provide nectar for many pollinators, along with Monarch Butterflies. Asclepias Tuberosa is not an invasive plant anywhere …

Johnny Butterflyseed Tops Multiple iNaturalist Leaderboards!

In effort to help bring awareness to the native ecology of Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge, and more specifically the ecology required for the Monarch Butterfly, Johnny Butterflyseed has topped multiple iNaturalist.org leaderboards! iNaturalist is a social media platform which allows users to share natural “observations” and get help from other users to “identify” unknown species. …

What does it take to become an Accomplished Butterfly Farmer?

A Butterfly Farmer is anyone who helps the ecology of butterflies by growing larval host plants, nectar sources, and the proper shelter for that species. An accomplished butterfly farmer will have raised several generations of multiple species of butterfly through their entire life-cycle. But more than that, they will learn more deeply about their butterfly. …

How can a city-dweller help save the Monarch Butterfly?

If you don’t see Milkweed plants, you won’t see Monarch Butterflies. It is that simple. Every city dweller can help by planting their native Milkweed; anywhere and everywhere. Milkweed is required for Monarch Butterflies to reproduce. This means they cannot reproduce without Milkweed. Therefore, if you don’t see Milkweed plants, you won’t see Monarch Butterflies. …

Lake Wales Rails-to-Trails: A Safe Harbor for Invasive Species

The Lake Wales Rails-to-Trails program has missed one of its three most important targets: the removal of invasive, non-native species. The Lake Wales “Rails-to-Trails” program is great in conception. Convert a short section of unused railway into a trail to be used by citizens. The program’s site is in the heart of the Lake Wales …