Help ID this wild plant

[jokr]

I found this growing wild on the side of our hill. Central Alabama. Spotted it in early October. It covers a large area (basic idea - 30x30ft). Lots of honey bees on it. 3 pictures included. Thank you!

 

[ninnymary]

The fluffiness reminds me of my milkweed when the seed pods open. Could it be a wild milkweed?

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

That's what I was thinking too, Mary.

 

[thistlebloom]

You may be able to see if it's one of these milkweeds.

https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/som-blog/how-to-identify-milkweed-plants-quickly-and-confidently

 

[jokr]

Thank you to both of you! I had no idea where to start. You've pointed me in a great direction. I'm a new honey bee keeper and when I stumbled upon this one day on the property, and honey bees where all over it, I thought I'd better get to know the plant. Thanks so much! This is a great site, I'm new to it and plan to check it out more.

 

[thistlebloom]

Welcome Jokr!
We have a few other members who also keep bees.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined. Grab a chair and an appropriate beverage, kick back and join in any conversations. It can be a friendly place.

 

[Carol Dee]

Pretty sure it is not in the milkweed family. The fluff looks like a flower gone to seed. But then could emerge like that! Maybe your county extension office could quickly name it for you I do not see where bees would even find pollen in there! AND from a beekeepers wife in Eastern IA.

 

[ninnymary]

Carol, my bees find the pollen in the flowers, not in the seed pods when they open.

Mary

 

[Carol Dee]

Carol, my bees find the pollen in the flowers, not in the seed pods when they open.

Mary

Pretty sure I KNOW that! I was wondering IF there was a flower stag before this FLUFF.