What kind of flower is this?
By Alissa
Canada 
I found this flower growing wild on the edge of my uncle's wheat field in Southern Saskatchewan, and also saw more of them along the side of the road near the Saskatchewan/Montana border. They are about 24-36 inches high, and the leaves are soft and furry, like Lamb's Ear. The flowers are somewhat pleasantly scented, and when we broke a flower off, there was a great deal of white milk inside the stem. I've looked everywhere I can think, and cannot determine what this plant is. It was definitely new to the area, as no one had ever seen anything like it.
It was mid-July when I took these photos.
21 Jul, 2009
Answers
I've got this in my garden! I agree with Wagger. :-)
21 Jul, 2009
Sorry guys it's not that. It's Asclepias speciosa or Showy Milkweed.
If you get seed off it (fluffy white parachutes on the seed once the pod splits open) I would love some. :-) Been after this species for a while now.
21 Jul, 2009
Ooops! I bow to your superior knowledge, Fractal.
21 Jul, 2009
Hey no problem Spritz and you most certainly don't have to bow :-)
25 years dealing with all kinds of plants (and seeing them every day) helps.
Incidently, I have grown several species of Asclepias from seed but unfortunately not yet managed to get A. speciosa. It makes a lovely garden perennial with it's large oval, felted leaves and flesh pink balls of star-like flowers and it's very hardy too.
21 Jul, 2009
I'm happy to stand corrected.
21 Jul, 2009
OK - I'll stand, as well - not bow! LOL.
21 Jul, 2009
Wow, thanks so Much Fractal! I'm no longer in the area where I found them, but I can tell you if you go to Whitetail Montana, they are growing on the side of the road, near the border crossing!
It is indeed a very pretty flower, I hope you can find some seeds!
21 Jul, 2009
Hah! first you build my hopes up....then send them crashing to the ground! Lol!
No problem. :-)
21 Jul, 2009
Looks like Eupatorium purpureum (Joe-Pie Weed)
21 Jul, 2009