The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has named its plant of the year.
Milkweed has been named the 2025 plant species of the year, and the DNR encourages the planting of the flowering plant to help monarch butterflies survive.
In the state of Wisconsin, there are 13 different native types of milkweed, with five of those types considered endangered, threatened, or a special concern, while one species, showy milkweed, is the state’s lone non-native milkweed.
Milkweed is highly crucial to the survival of monarchs, along with other non-threatening pollinators.
Jay Watson, a DNR insect ecologist, said, “Monarch butterflies face several major threats, including habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. Planting milkweed can help create habitat for monarchs, other butterflies, and bumble bees.”
Monarchs breed in Wisconsin over the spring and summer months, and without milkweed, they would not survive.
Milkweed was selected as the plant of the year through the DNR’s Rare Plant Monitoring Program, which consists of trained volunteers to locate, record, and update the presence of rare plants throughout the state.
Each year, the plant of the year becomes the main focus for the group.
More information on Milkweed and a map showing where you can find the 2025 plant of the year near you can be found online by visiting dnr.wisconsin.gov.
