“Hello there! I’m milkweed, your friendly neighbourhood plant, and I have a very special relationship with the majestic monarch butterfly. You see, I’m not just any plant—I’m the one and only home where monarch butterflies lay their eggs. My leaves are the perfect place for their tiny caterpillars to munch and grow. Without me, they wouldn’t be able to survive.

And here’s the cool part: I’ve got a secret weapon! My leaves contain a toxin called cardenolides, which I produce to protect myself. When the monarch caterpillars feast on my leaves, they absorb the toxins, making them toxic to predators. It’s like I’m helping my butterfly friends stay safe while they grow into adults.

Not only do I provide food, but I also offer shelter. My sturdy stems and leaves are perfect for monarchs to rest on and even to undergo their incredible transformation into butterflies. Without me, there would be no place for them to pupate and begin their next stage of life.

But there’s something important you should know: I’m in trouble. Due to loss of habitat and herbicides, there’s been less space for me to grow. If you want to help monarchs, planting more of me, like common milkweed or swamp milkweed, in your garden can make a big difference to our survival!”