Milkweed Madness

At Ground Education, we love it when students slow down and observe nature at work.  At first glance, this common milkweed at Herrera Elementary seemed to be quietly blooming.  But when we looked closer, there were Monarch larva (i.e., caterpillars) of all sizes munching happily on nearly every leaf.  There were bees busily pollinating, and aphids cleverly camouflaged as yellow buds on the stems.  And there were droves of ladybugs enjoying the feast!  We also spotted large milkweed bugs, which dine on the spongy seedpods, but apparently have been known to eat dead caterpillars if given the opportunity.  The students were fascinated by this ecosystem at work and had lots of big ideas and questions about what they saw.  It was a bountiful, emergent day in the learning garden.