Where Has All the Milkweed Gone?

The Georgia Milkweed Atlas Project

There are 22 species of milkweed native to Georgia. Historical data documents milkweed growing widely across the state but this no longer seems to be the case. Where has all the milkweed gone?

As part of our habitat restoration efforts, we would like to know what species of milkweed are currently growing in the state and where they are located.

Who

 Monarchs Across Georgia needs your help, citizen scientists, Master Gardeners, Habitat Stewards, educators, butterfly enthusiasts, to help us find the location and species of milkweed (Asclepias) around the state

When

 Anytime during the year when you observe it growing
(usually the months of April – October).

Where

 It might be growing in a garden that you planted or wild in a field or on the side of the road.

Why

 Milkweed is the only HOST plant of the Monarch butterfly. (A host plant is used by the adult butterfly as a place to lay her eggs. When the larva or caterpillar emerges, the plant serves as its food.) It is critical to the life cycle of the butterfly.

How

We have provided an online Georgia Milkweed Atlas Submission Form for recording pertinent information about the milkweed that you have located.  (read these directions and then click the link provided below to proceed to the form)

Try to record as much information as possible. If you are not sure of the milkweed species, you can try to match it to the descriptions on our section of our website or simply leave the species line blank.

You must send in a verification photo or specimen with your form.

You can use a GPS to document the exact location of the milkweed or simply give us an address or directions to the site. Road names, landmarks and mileage are helpful if an address or GPS reading is not available.

You can: Mail

  • fill in the form information
  • print a copy of the form (use your browser File-Print capability)
  • before mailing include a specimen or photo to verify the species
  • for species verification, photos of the bloom, whole plant and leaf are requested
  • Submit by mailing this form with your verification to:

    Georgia Milkweed Atlas
    c/o Dr. Carol Hoffman
    Georgia Museum of Natural History
    University of Georgia
    Athens, GA 30602
You can Email (online submit)
  • fill in the form information
  • click the submit button to forward the form by email to Dr. Carol Hoffman
  • remember to attach your photo to the email before sending
  • for species verification, photos of the bloom, whole plant and leaf are
    requested
  • photo submissions by email should be high resolution jpeg, tif or gif files

select the appropriate link below to use the

 

  
Thank you for your help with this project. We encourage you to plant milkweed and other host plants in your pollinator garden.

 

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