Milkweed

And now for the wonderful big fat weed along the roadside.
Hey, it gets status as a native wildflower at npwrc (links below).





(Shows buds, and also the fuzzy hairy back of the leaf.)

From the description of the buds (10-20 vs 20-100), I think it's a Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Could also be a Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)

NOTE:

Monarch Butterflies are totally reliant upon milkweed and lay their eggs on several milkweed species. As the larvae hatch they feed on the foliage which in turn protects them by making them distasteful and toxic to birds.

Milkweed Family

If I get a chance to take photos of it after it blossoms, I'll post it here. Ya never know if it'll even still be there. Could be mowed down.

MORE (Roadside, different plant, could not find same one):





NOTE: Going to see if I can get sharper pics with my S3 Canon. These are with the XSi Canon and tele.

UPDATE:
A different day and plant, Sat 11 Jul 09. Loved the bud closeup.


UPDATE: 19 Jul 09

Hey, the milkweed leaves are turning a pretty deep burgundy.



And this stuff looks like milkweed in the process of turning burgundy, but I'm not sure.
It sure was pretty too.


I think eventually they bear "fruit" also. I think I already have pics of those somewhere (taken 1 or 2 years ago).