American seedpod

[annew]

A friend was given this pod of seeds collected in Minnesota. Anybody know what it is? The seeds are incredibly mobile, I had to sneak up on it and hold my breath to take the photo. The seed parts easily from the parachute. The seed pod is 8cm long. I'm sorry about the quality of the pictures, if you need clearer ones I'll ask the cameraman.

[Carlo]

Anne,

It's Asclepias syriaca (most likely):   Milkweed

Larval food of the Monarch Butterfly

[annew]

Crumbs that was quick! Thanks, Carlo. Is it safe to plant it or am I likely to start an epidemic?

[Lesley Cox]

All that beautiful silk Anne, you could start up a spinning industry for very delicate ladies' underwear. Delicate underwear, not delicate ladies.

[annew]

You'd have to catch it first.

[Anthony Darby]

Milkweed is not an invasive plant. Asclepias curassavica is a tender species with red and yellow flowers which I saw in Trinidad. A. syriaca is vigorous and fully hardy.