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This is profoundly untrue, at least for milkweed sensu lato Most Asclepias species contain cardiac glycosides and can be highly poisonous. Milkweed extracts we
by whyenot 12y ago
This is profoundly untrue, at least for milkweed sensu lato
Most Asclepias species contain cardiac glycosides and can be highly poisonous. Milkweed extracts were spread on arrow tips by some Native American groups to more quickly bring down game when hunting. Some species have also been used as rat poison. Consumption can lead to serious heart problems due to disruption of the calcium gradient across cell membranes.
- Alex3917 12y agoFair enough, I only meant common milkweed. But even for the edible species only certain parts are edible, and only at certain times of year anyway. (As with many/most of the plants we eat.)
- whyenot 12y agoAha, but here's the problem: if you live on the east coast (or just east of the Rockies) in the USA, you probably are referring to Asclepias syriaca, but "common milkweed" on the west coast could be a different species, perhaps Asclepias californica. If you live in Asia or South America, it would be other species. I guess all I'm saying is be careful :) The majority of milkweeds, heck, the majority of "common milkweeds" are poisonous.