Excellent work by one the foremost milkweed enthusiasts in the country. Gene Thomas has traveled throughout the U.S. to see, study, and photograph each of our 76 species of Asclepias. The book's organization & presentation style are clear, informative, and entertaining — and the content is rich and fascinating. All this flows from the author's training (MS in Plant Pathology; PhD in Horticulture/Plant Breeding & Genetics), his decades of experience teaching college biology courses...and his many years of study, enchantment, & devotion for asclepiads.

Chapters cover in detail:

1) the fascinating subject of milkweed floral structure and associated insect behavior in pollination;
2) chemical defenses and interactions with insect and other herbivores;
3) species accounts w/ descriptions, photos, range maps and additional info for each of the 76 species of Asclepias in the U. S.;
4) cultural history, medicinal uses, mythology & folkore; ... and more.
Well-written with plentiful photos & illustrations...a delight to read!