Sept 11, 2015: Whorled Milkweed

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), a member of the Milkweed Family (Ascplepiadacea) grows to 2 to 2.5 feet tall and can be found on mesic to dry prairies.  This species is rather rare at the Park and, so far, has only be found on the north slope, just east of Jensen Pond.  I found 3 stands, each containing over 100 plants (one stand shown at right).  Since they are rare for the Park, Erv suggested that I delineate then to protect them from being mowed down during the haying operation that had started on the two eastern-most slopes.  Using fluorescent pink flagging tape I delineated two of the stands, the ones closest to the sumac patch by the swing.  Unfortunately, on the following day, the farmer or one of his workers ignored the flagging and hayed them down.  Only a few plants along the edges escaped. We had hoped to collect seed this Fall, so that we could establish more stands. 8/9/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)