Blooming now along the trails up here in the woods. Fourleaf Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia). Host plant to the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus).
This Milkweed is native to the eastern United States and Canada. In this picture you can see how it has gotten a couple of its common names. The Fourleaf Milkweed, with its four leaves in a whorl, and also Whorled Milkweed.
There are about 100 species of Milkweed in North America. The name Milkweed comes from the milky latex that is in their pods, leaves, and stems, making them unappetizing to animals that might otherwise eat the plant.
I’m captivated by the soft color of the blooms, they’re just thinking about being pink.
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