milkweed

Everyday

1. Milkweed is a North American plant with a milky white sap, pinkish flower clusters and pods full of fluffy seeds. tree →
2. Milkweed is the only food monarch butterfly caterpillars eat. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about life cycles and food chains, monarch butterflies lay eggs on milkweed; the caterpillars eat its leaves and the plant's poison makes them taste bad to birds. Schools in the USA and Canada plant milkweed gardens to help monarchs. Phrases: «milkweed pods», «plant milkweed».

Examples

• Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed. tree →
• We planted milkweed in the school garden to help butterflies. tree →
• The milkweed pod burst and fluffy seeds floated away. tree →
• Milkweed sap is white and sticky like milk. tree →
• The poison in milkweed protects monarchs from birds. tree →
• We found a monarch egg on a milkweed leaf. tree →

Note

One word. Mostly North American; in the UK «milkweed» may also mean other plants with milky sap. The sap can irritate the eyes, so wash your hands after touching it.