My "milkweed" may actually be a type of dogbane

There are many different types of dogbane.  Dogbane has opposite leaves and usually has reddish stems (or partially reddish).  Supposed to flower July to August.  Different types and names include: dogbane, hemp dogbane, prairie dogbane, clasping dogbane, spreading dogbane, Indian hemp, wild cotton.

It's poisonous to dogs.  If I can confirm that's what I have, I will likely get rid of the plant for that reason.  Stay tuned.

Here is a picture from the internet of clasping dogbane...

 

Compare to my plant...

 

 

 

My plant has a thin stem and has appeared reddish.  The leaves are opposite.  The proof is always in the flowering so we'll see if this one make it that far this year.



Bike ride this morning

Decided to take a short bike ride this morning.  Down to the trail and all the way to the old Target on Euclid Ave and back.

Squirrels and a rabbit

Squirrels are curious creatures.  Something about having Russ with me gets them excited...

 

And the rabbits like my clover in the backyard...

 

Mixed bag

It's been a little slow around here.  Hot outside and haven't seen much.  I put a thistle sock in my front tree but the finches haven't found it yet that I can see. 

So here's a little clean up of pictures over the last week...

Blue swallowtail butterfly

Not a very good picture, but butterflies don't often stay put for a close-up.

Here's what I saw in my back tree...

 

 

And from the internet...

Comparing common milkweed to the plant I'm watching

These pictures were taken about a day apart.  The first picture is my plant and the second picture is common milkweed from my neighbor's yard (the neighbor that has been supplying me with pods over the last few years).

 

The leaves are different.  The stem/stalk is not as thick and you can see the buds on the second picture.  Anxious to see if my plant flowers this year.  It has stretched a bit higher than my cage so I may need to protect better.



common milkweed

Critters

Just capturing what I see in the yard and neighborhood.  I'm going to put a thistle sock back in my front yard to bring in the American Goldfinches.  For now, it's common critters.

 

How many squirrels do you see below?

 

Caught this one with a flash...

 

Times are tough...

 

Yes, it's little...