For several years now Mary Beth has agreed to our having milkweed line our driveway as well as grow at the side of the house. The last few she has allowed it into her vegetable garden and we have about two dozen plants in there. We have never planted milkweed seeds so all our plants have grown here naturally. Probably wind blown. This year there were many Monarch butterfly visits and a few caterpillars were seen on the leaves. I did not find any chrysalises but imagine there must have been one or two. On Monday past I took advantage of the seeds for a little photography.
My initial intent was a black and white image but decided that I enjoyed the warm soft background so color it is.
Milkweed silk or floss is good for more than plant procreation although that obviously is its main function. The floss can be used for cushion or pillow fill and in flotation equipment such as life vests for boaters. It can support many times its own weight in water, I read 30x, which makes it a good floater.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
I met a man who was a child during WWII and he said kids were asked to collect milkweed for life jackets.
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I am not surprised that such things took place during that time. Everyone pitched in.
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I’m constantly amazed by the variety of patterns milkweed floss can take. There’s something about this angular symmetry that seems familiar, but I can’t pinpoint what it is. No matter; it’s quite an appealing photo.
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With all those seeds and nature’s randomness the shapes they can take might rival the non-repetitive nature of snowflakes.
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Got it! The angularity reminded me of a Roman Catholic Cardinal’s hat called a Biretta. I couldn’t find a good photo of one seen from above, but this at least suggests the similarity.
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When you mention Cardinals’ hats I thought of the Bishop’s Miter cactus until I viewed your link.
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Oh, good grief. I had one of those Bishop’s Miters for years and years, and even knew the name, but I didn’t make the connection. I’ve got a file full of photos that look just like the ones in your link. That’s probably what was lurking around in my mind, but the closest I could get was the ecclesiastical hat. You can see some pics of my beauty here. She’s gone now, alas.
What’s funny is that a true bishop’s mitre looks quite different than the hat that the cactus resembles.
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Great photograph! I like the warm colors, too.
Fascinating details in these plants and I’ve spent quite a while admiring them. Gini used to be a floral designer, and this was one of her favorites with which to work.
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I’ve not seen milkweed in a flower arrangement but imagine it must be striking. I remember years ago being told to use hairspray to keep cattail seeds from exploding and guess that would help milkweed floss from spreading from a bouquet.
Thanks, Wally!
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Probably the most photogenic of seed heads, hardly ever a displeasing take. Your patch is growing, fortunate for future visitors!
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At first Mary Beth wasn’t a fan of milkweed but it has gown on her as has the frequent monarch visitations it provides. She now agrees with doing the deadheading in spring rather than fall and we allow the dried plants to stand through the winter for all the bees and others who use them for shelter.
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Nice capture, Steve, and yes the rich colors in the background are a bonus! I love the endless variations of how those seeds and the silk spread out once the pod pops.
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With the randomness of nature the possibilities for milkweed floss sculptures is endless. Thanks, Ellen!
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Glad to hear about the monarchs in your yard, I hope that continues. I had no idea about the various uses for this silk. Fascinating.
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I did not know those uses I shared either. Just learned when I searched for background. But non-forager that I am I will not be collecting any for my pillows ether. 🙂
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Great close-up! Our rainy summer had the milkweed looking good this past year, so I’m hoping it comes back strong next year too.
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Thanks, Denise! We’ve been pretty fortunate to have a good crop of milkweed every year since we started encouraging it.
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What a stellate milkweed.
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Radiating like a star just like those ganglion in my neck.
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