Intricate architecture of a Crown Milkweed blosssom... a Monarch's delight

Explore Nov 13, 2010 #130

I remember the first time I saw a yellow, black and white striped Monarch caterpillar munching the edges of one of these. I could literally hear the chewing and see the chunks being eaten away!

Yes, it's a favorite of the Monarch Butterfly and essential in its life cycle. And apart from that it's gorgeous! And large... many times larger than our familiar backyard milkweed.

But check out its architecture... the curling Baroque struts that support its crowning golden stamen. It's delicate coloring, from pink on the outside petals to a deep robust purple along the supporting struts. Such delicacy and yet such strength all designed to attract and entice. To assure its reproduction and future life!

Calotropis gigantea, Asclepiadaceae
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Butterfly Garden
www.susanfordcollins.com

Taken in: United States / Florida / Coral Gables (show map)

Taken on: November 7, 2010

Tags:

Giant Milkweed

Crown Milkweed

monarch caterpillar and aphid

giant purple milkweed

purple Crown Milkweed

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Calotropis gigantea

dok rak

mywinners

TheUnforgettablePictures

AnAwesomeShot

SuperShot

beyondbokeh

100+ comment group

Danainae

ExcellentsFlowers

milkweed butterflies

Monarch Butterfly

milkweed butterfly

Nymphalidae

monarch caterpillar

Danaus plexippus

common milkweed

Monarch life cycle

Monarchs mating

milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Asclepiadaceae

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Camera: Nikon D3000, f/8.0, 1/125 sec, 52mm (=78mm), ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D3000
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Focal Length:	52mm (35mm equivalent: 78mm)
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Not Defined
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Microsoft Windows Photo Viewer 6.1.7600.16385
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