milkweed

American  

[milk-weed] / ˈmɪlkˌwid /

noun

1. any of several plants that secrete a milky juice or latex, especially those of the genus Asclepias, as A. syriaca.

2. any of various other plants having a milky juice, as certain spurges.

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milkweed British  

/ ˈmɪlkˌwiːd /

noun

1. Also called: silkweed.  any plant of the mostly North American genus Asclepias, having milky sap and pointed pods that split open to release tufted seeds: family Asclepiadaceae See also asclepias

2. any of various other plants having milky sap

3. another name for butterfly weed

4. another name for monarch

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Etymology

Origin of milkweed

First recorded in 1590–1600; milk + weed ¹

Compare meaning

How does milkweed compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dogbane vs. milkweed

Example Sentences

They did so because they recognized that strict prohibitions could backfire, leading landowners to destroy milkweed, a plant that monarchs need to survive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

The one exception is a pot of orange-flowered tropical milkweed, a non-native variety they keep for sentimental reasons because it reminds them of how they met when they both were single living in Santa Monica.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2025

Monarchs must have milkweed to reproduce — it’s the only food the young caterpillars eat — so it’s little wonder that Anaya’s yard looks like a Disney movie of dancing butterflies.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024

And remember to include plants like milkweed for butterflies and sunflowers for bees.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024

He turned to find the stand of dried milkweed stalks he’d wedged himself against a few hours before.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker