Florida Native Plant Society Position on Monarchs and Milkweeds
Valerie Anderson • May 9, 2024
This policy statement was prepared by the Florida Native Plant Society's Science Committee and is endorsed by the Florida Wildflower Foundation and the Florida Association of Native Nurseries.
Danaus plexippus
Asclepias
Ophryocystis elektroscirrha
Asclepias curassavica
FNPS recommends that tropical milkweed not be planted and that it be removed from gardens and yards where it occurs. Land managers of natural areas are encouraged to remove it from their sites.
Asclepias perennis
FNPS does not recommend removal of native milkweeds from gardens. FNPS recommends that native milkweeds may continue to be planted in their native ranges along with a variety of other native plants.
Asclepias curtissii
A. feayi
FNPS does not recommend removal of native milkweeds from natural areas.
Concerned individuals may want to assist in the monitoring of OE occurrence as part of Project Monarch Health.
References
The section below addresses some questions that are frequently raised.
How credible is the research?
Danaus plexippus
Ophryocystis elektroscirrha
Should Native Planted Milkweeds be Removed or Not Planted?
Are Native Milkweeds in Native Habitats a Risk to Monarchs?
Asclepias curassavica
Asclepias curtissii
A. feayi
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