Toxic latex protects from herbivores: milkweeds

1 of 1 Common Milkweed / Hardyplants / License

Any broken part of milkweeds wards off herbivores via a poisonous latex that it exudes.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Animals

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Biological pest control product.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Milkweed gets its name from a poisonous latex that exudes from its broken stem. This is so toxic that it can give a small animal a heart attack." (Attenborough 1995:70-71)

About the inspiring organism

Asclepias
Asclepias

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Biological pest control product.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Agriculture, pest control, biochemistry

References

Attenborough, D. 1995. The Private Life of Plants: A Natural History of Plant Behavior. London: BBC Books. 320 p.

Toxic latex protects from herbivores: milkweeds

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