Published on November 1, 2023
Did you know that…
The city of Châteauguay has been a monarch-friendly city since March 2023?
Following the distribution of milkweed plants last June and to advocate for this migratory butterfly, the city invites you to attend Harvest and propagate the seeds of any milkweed plants you may encounter on your path this fall.
To achieve this, you need to make sure you have the right type of milkweed, according to Mission Monarque recommendations. There are four native species of perennial spurge in Quebec: common spurge, purple spurge, bulbous spurge and very large spurge. The latter two, when found in the wild, are protected by Quebec’s Threatened or Endangered Species Protection Act: Do not touch them. Do not hesitate to consult this sheet to ensure correct identification.
Once the right species is found, you can collect the fruits (pods) from the plant and scatter or sow its seeds randomly. We invite you to consult this link for detailed information about the collection. Remember that it is best not to harvest everything to allow wild populations to regenerate naturally.
Following the distribution last summer, several milkweed plants were planted: notably in the Parc de la Commune, in the pollinator garden on Boulevard Rameau and in the community gardens.
Ready to save monarch butterflies? As you wish !
Some information about the monarch butterfly and milkweed…
Remember that the monarch butterfly is an endangered species: its population has declined dramatically in recent years due to climate change and the loss of its breeding habitat. By planting and encouraging the proliferation of native perennial milkweed plants, we are contributing to the survival of this magnificent migratory butterfly.
In fact, milkweed is a vital plant for the survival of the monarch butterfly. This is the only plant on which the female lays her eggs, and once hatched, monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed. Even more amazing, milkweed contains a toxin that makes caterpillars and butterflies poisonous, providing them with an essential survival tool against predators.