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Milkweed, to the paper maker, the quilter, the mobile artist, the ropemaker, the home sewer, and the nature enthusist, this is a wonderful find. Even World War II history buffs can learn to love this magnificient weed. Why? Because milkweed has played an important role in history, not just for World War II.

Precautions: Milkweed has been used by Native Americans as medicine and food.*2 This is NOT recommended because it does have elements in it that can cause problems for your heart. Having said that, I have friends who heat up water to a rolling boil and throw the tiniest pods in when they're new, green, and first forming. Then they do that about two more times and drain. Then add a sauce to it. They swear by it. I tried it, it tastes like rubber ( like the front tire on your car-to me). There is a reason for that, it's related to the rubber plant. People have even tried to make rubber from the white milky sap. As far as I know, they're still trying. Another word of caution here, it has a natural kind of latex, so if you are allergic to the latex, stay away from the sap. Don't give this plant to animals because cows have become extremely ill or died from it. Enough with the cautions.

Getting back to the magnificent uses:

Fluff: Was used during World War II to stuff lifesaver vests and flight jackets, and is currently used as batting to make quilts, some people have used them to stuff pillows, too. Currently people like to use them as they would use feather down to keep warm. If you're going to do that, make sure you collect it dry and stuff into a ziplock bag. After a few hours, the bugs inside will die. Put in a woven bag such as burlap or a pillow case until you're ready to use it, that way it won't mold, mildew or rot. If it is super-dry, you may be able to keep it in a zip-lock bag. Watch the bag, if you see condensation or moisture, get it out of there.*1

Stems: Cordage has been made from the stems. You can create string, rope, emergency fishing line and so on with it. Some cultures have used the homemade string for making mats or rough entry rugs. After a lot of work to make it useable, parts of the stems can be used to make paper. So natural paper makers that start with plants love it.*4,*5

Pods: The dried pods in the fall can be used to make a mobile. I've seen them made to look like birds. If you put them up in a blue ceiling or blue and white one, they look like birds in a sky. A slight breeze from a window makes them "fly."

Entire Plant: Monarch Butterflies love them. They need them to eat. Fewer and fewer places have allowed land to go into weeds so they have fewer and fewer feeding grounds. Please consider leaving a few in the back of your lawn so they have food.*3

Interested in learning more, check out the articles below:

www.nurserytrees.com search milkweed*3

www.handpapermaking.org *5

www.woodrow.org search Ethnobotany milkweed*2,*4

http://ohioline.osu.edu search Insulated Vests and Jackets*1

www.almanac.com search garden nature milkweed*3

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