I can’t prove it but I speculate there are more plant species people call milkweed than any other common name. If the plant oozes white milky stuff when cut it is liable to be called milkweed in its home territory. There are lots of species, thousands of them, which contain the natural chemical compound latex which gives rise to the milk nomenclature.

Many of nature’s latex formulas are toxic, i.e. poisonous, to some degree to some creatures. There are milkweeds that are toxic to livestock if eaten. And one non-native milkweed is quite a problem on western U.S. ranges where it chokes out good grazing plants.

Some people have skin sensitivity to latex gloves.

On the bright side of latex toxicity is the way monarch butterflies protect their offspring. Momma butterflies lay eggs only on milkweed species so that the hatched-out larvae eat the milkweed leaves. Somehow, the latex is not toxic to the Monarch caterpillars but the caterpillars themselves become toxic to many would-be predators.

The plant genus Asclepias accounts for most of the species dubbed milkweed. Another genus whose many species all contain latex is Euphorbia, a la the spurges. I wish I could purge the spotted spurge from my vegetable garden and lawn and pea gravel paths and everywhere else not concreted.

Based on locale, some of the spurges are called milkweed by local residents. While some spurge types are indeed weeds, others are valued as good flower gardening species. The spurges are pretty drought-resistant and deer don’t like them.

Likely the most useful of the milky plants is the rubber tree. And from the chemistry of natural rubber scientists figured out how to make synthetic rubber, some types known as synthetic latex.

Years ago I was asked to find some milkweed vines so the asker could get the seedpods. The pods, when dried, were the perfect shape on which to paint a Santa Claus head, complete from face to the tip of the pointed red stocking cap. I saw some painted and they were cute.

However, in areas where the vine species is more common, it is badmouthed big-time by gardeners. The plant, also called honeyvine milkweed, does sort of like morning glory. The first year you plant a few seeds and enjoy the blooms. Then the next and subsequent years you pull up seedlings as soon as you see them because the ensuing vines take over.

Speaking of Santa, soon one of the most popular latex-laden plants will be all around us. That, of course, is the poinsettia.

Among the milkiest of plants is the poppy family. Many poppies are known and grown for their colorful flowers. Some have medicinal value. And then there is the poppy latex derivative heroin. So I suppose milkweeds account for everything from Christmas decorations to rubber to poisonous weeds to safe baby butterflies to bad dope.

Right now my latex thoughts are about two new rear tires and something to kill spotted spurge in the daylilies.

•

Terry Rector writes for the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, 601-636-7679 ext. 3.