Milkweed

At this time of year most milkweed in Michigan have just begun developing buds.  However, thanks to global warming, at this time of year milkweed is already blooming in Michigan.  Let's check it out:

http://www.ontariowildflower.com/wildflower_waste2.htm

Milkweed is in the family Asclepiadaceae with the genus Asclepias and species syriaca.
Although the sap produced is poisonous if consumed by humans, not all organisms are detered.  Monarch butterflies feed one plant only and that is milkweed.

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BB:Monarch_Butterfly_Danaus_plexippus_Milkweed.jpg

Interestingly enough, during WWII, milkweed floss was discovered to possess buoyant properties similar to those of kapok, previously imported for use in life-preserver jackets.  Since the supply of kapok was cut off (from the Dutch East Indies), the U.S. Department of Agriculture harvested and used milkweed in place of kapok creating a industry named: The Milkweed Floss Division of War Hemp Industries of the Commodity Credit Corporation.  This was headquartered in Petoskey, Michigan for approximately four years until synthetic kapok was created.  Other possible commercial uses of milkweed: latex (rubber), fiber, fuel.  Edible parts: young shoots, flower buds, and young pods tasty (Voss, Edward G. Michigan Flora Part II Dicots).