Taxonomy

'Asclepias syriaca' is the scientific, Latin or binomial name for 'common milkweed'. Other common names include 'Butterfly flower', 'Silkweed', 'Silky Swallow-wort', and 'Virginia Silkweed'. But whether the scientific or common names are used, the wildflower is colorfully attractive to Monarch butterflies [Danaus plexippus], distasteful to wildlife, and popular and unpopular with environmentalists.

Specifically, it's an environmentally useful plant. For example, above-ground plant parts if thoroughly cooked may be eaten. Nectar may serve as natural sweetener. Seed oil may be converted into the cinamic acid of the best sunscreens.

But the plant also may be downright environmentally unfriendly. Granted it's critical to the survival of Monarchs. Granted it tends to clear an area of foraging and predatory wildlife. Granted there tends therefore to be less damage to other herbaceous and woody plants.

But just as the plant is selective in whom it feeds, so is it selective about whom it shares space with. It's a colorful, enthusiastic ground cover that's responsible for better looks and better soil health to such disturbed areas as roadsides, old fields and ditches. But it may not be a big fan of or help to area biodiversity.

'Linaria vulgaris' is the scientific, Latin or binomial name for 'butter-and-eggs'. Other common names are 'common toadflax' and 'yellow toadflax'. Whatever the name, the plant has a cheerful yellow-and-orange bloom that clusters at the top of stalks 1 - 3 feet [30.48 centimeters - 0.9144 meters] high.

So the wildflower brightens the vacant lots, roadsides, fields and disturbed grounds that it quickly covers. Unfortunately, this may be to the detriment of other herbaceous and woody plants. Specifically, butter-and-eggs may improve the view and the ground, but not the diversity of plant life in an area.