You really need a hand lens to appreciate the complexity of the milkweed flower.
Starting in the center is a tight assembly of the stamen and pistils, the sexual parts of a flower. This is surrounded by tiny hoods, each with a curved "horn".
The actual petals curve downward around the outside of the calyx, which is the outer envelope of the flower.
The common names come from the white sap and from the fluffy, Kapok-like packing around the seeds that gives them an airborne lift when ripe. In fact this fluff was used in the past to stuff life preservers.
Milkweeds prefer fairly dry, sunny, sites, like along the bank of Bent Creek Road.
Provided by:
Glenn P., Arboretum
Volunteer
Photo by: Angela B., Arboretum Staff
White Milkweed, Silkweed
(Asclepias variagata )