IT'S FLOWER FRIDAY

We're expecting a killing frost tonight so flowers are getting scarce around here.  However, remnants of flowers abound this time of year.  This is the seed head of the Common Milkweed (Aesclepias syriaca)...each of those fluffy white "wings" has a seed attached and when the autumnal winds arrive, they carry the seeds hither and yon.
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As kids, we were told that if you caught one of them, made a wish and threw it into the wind and it didn't hit ground before it was out of sight, your wish would come true. Henceforth, these structures were called "wishes!"
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You can learn all about this plant here:  Aesclepias syriaca
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Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) lay eggs on this plant which hatch into caterpillars which eat the leaves.  The plant is highly toxic and the caterpillars acquire this toxin through eating the plant.  When it turns into a butterfly to complete its life cycle, that toxicity comes along.  Monarch Butterflies are seldom preyed upon....and any predator foolish enough to eat one soon learns that that was a mistake.  Check it out:  monarch butterfly
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Best in Large.