Recently I was driving home from work, and noticed a butterfly weed along the highway. I cannot find any I was driving home from work, and noticed a butterfly weed along the highway. I cannot find any information regarding this question online. Does anyone have any insight regarding this it is not considered an endangered species at all. Thank you

I've got my own rule. If it's in the city or County where they mow the side of the road a lot I will dig it up. But if they don't mow I'll leave it and let mother nature take care of it.

I know I wanted some flowers from the NC mountains but was told it was illegal to pick them or even harvest seeds so I'd say there is a high probability the same rules apply elsewhere.

Hi Brenden here is the "law" for plants in Michigan. The 3rd link is for Asclepias species that are a no-no to pick or dig. Just click on the name for a picture. Hope this helps.


http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,...

http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/data/s...

http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/explor...

It is definitely illegal in any state park or National Park to take anything. And it is a federal offense

plantcollector said:I've got my own rule. If it's in the city or County where they mow the side of the road a lot I will dig it up. But if they don't mow I'll leave it and let mother nature take care of it.

That's a great standard to go by.

Moonhowl said:Hi Brenden here is the "law" for plants in Michigan. The 3rd link is for Asclepias species that are a no-no to pick or dig. Just click on the name for a picture. Hope this helps.


http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,...

http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/data/s...

http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/explor...

That third link is a no go. It doesn't have anything.

I went to the first one before I posted this.

The second site has a list. BUT it is not listed

Sorry Brenden. I think you are referring to Asclepias species (milkweed) when you say butterfly weed. There are 4 species of Asclepias growing in Michigan that are "protected".

On the 3rd link, click where it says New Search ,type in Asclepias or milkweed in the scientific or common name space and enter. It will give you a list of the 4 that are protected.
then you can click on the results for each plant for a picture and info.

The result for that looks like this:

All plants and animals named asclepias
4 species
Scientific Name Common Name Taxonomic Group
Asclepias hirtella Tall green milkweed Flowering Plants
Asclepias ovalifolia Dwarf milkweed Flowering Plants
Asclepias purpurascens Purple milkweed Flowering Plants
Asclepias sullivantii Sullivant's milkweed Flowering Plants

Moonhowl said:Sorry Brenden. I think you are referring to Asclepias species (milkweed) when you say butterfly weed. There are 4 species of Asclepias growing in Michigan that are "protected".

On the 3rd link, click where it says New Search ,type in Asclepias or milkweed in the scientific or common name space and enter. It will give you a list of the 4 that are protected.
then you can click on the results for each plant for a picture and info.

The result for that looks like this:

All plants and animals named asclepias
4 species
Scientific Name Common Name Taxonomic Group
Asclepias hirtella Tall green milkweed Flowering Plants
Asclepias ovalifolia Dwarf milkweed Flowering Plants
Asclepias purpurascens Purple milkweed Flowering Plants
Asclepias sullivantii Sullivant's milkweed Flowering Plants

Yea haha sorry for missing interpretation. Ok, so it's NOT protected. I really want to grab it. It's the only one I have seen. And I make this trip every day for years.

What would you do. I mean we are 100% certain at this point?

bhart90 said:

It's the only one I have seen. And I make this trip every day for years.

You say it's the only one you've seen, so if you take it there will be no more in the future. No one else can enjoy it and it will not be there for the Monarchs that desperately need it. Even though it may not be endangered in a state or global sense, if you have been driving this area for years and it's the only one you have seen then it would seem to be endangered in that locality. Just something to think about.

If they are going to mow it over before it sets seeds. I don't see the harm especially if you can grow it and spread seeds to help it come back.

If I was certain that the highway dept mowed that area, I would try to get a picture to make sure the plant wasn't endangered in any way other than the mowing machines and then collect the plant. Otherwise, I would watch carefully for the seed pods to ripen from green to brown and collect a single pod. They are usually full of seeds, so one would do it. In this link, enter Asclepias and check the box for Michigan. That shows what milkweed plants grow in your state.

http://plants.usda.gov/checkli...

This was a gift from the birds here

plant


seeds

If it is Asclepias tuberosa (orange flowers) then it would be best to leave it. They have really deep taproots and are almost impossible to dig up without killing. Perhaps you could mark the area somehow and keep an eye out for seeds pods.

Danita said:If it is Asclepias tuberosa (orange flowers) then it would be best to leave it. They have really deep taproots and are almost impossible to dig up without killing. Perhaps you could mark the area somehow and keep an eye out for seeds pods.

Absolutely right, never thought of that. Decision made.

Horntoad said:

You say it's the only one you've seen, so if you take it there will be no more in the future. No one else can enjoy it and it will not be there for the Monarchs that desperately need it. Even though it may not be endangered in a state or global sense, if you have been driving this area for years and it's the only one you have seen then it would seem to be endangered in that locality. Just something to think about.

That's another valid point too horntoad. My only counter is j DO BELIEVE they mow this too. I'll be much more aware when I pass tonight

@Danita you are right about killing the plant when you dig it up. Every one I have try to move one I killed it. So illegal or not I would wait and get the seeds and if it has more than one seed pod just take one.

You could take a photo of it, send it to Michigan DNR at [email protected], and just ask them. Or call them. Then you would know for sure. Also, they might even tell you how you can get some of it for yourself if it illegal to dig it up. Here is a possible contact for you also:
Kevin T. Sayers
State Urban Forestry Coordinator
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Forest Resources Division
PO Box 30452
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 517-284-5898
Fax: 515-373-2443
Email: [email protected]

I emailed dnr a hour ago.

And, the plant is no longer standing.

bhart90 said:I emailed dnr a hour ago.

And, the plant is no longer standing.

oh no did they mow it down?

Sorry Brenden