Asclepias hirtella (Tall Green Milkweed)

Monarch Butterflies are fully and exclusively dependent upon milkweeds for laying eggs and a food source for the larva and they can nectar. These plants were once so plentiful they were literally called weeds because they were problematic in agricultural fields. However, that's no longer the case with regular Glyphosate treatments to agricultural fields wiping out all "weeds". With fragmentation, global climate change, pollution, and other threats this is a major problem for Monarch butterflies that heavily depend upon the milkweed and other native plants. Monarch caterpillars need milkweeds, but also nectar sources that many native flowers provide. Help keep these going! Please consider your part in this planet, plant Monarch food sources including milkweed and other native plants.  Another unique addition to the milkweed line up.  This rare plant is not common in most areas around the Chicago area but can be found in mesic to dry and sand prairies.  It has greenish-white flowers that