Difference between revisions of "Milkweed fiber"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | Fibers obtained from the seeds of any of several milkweed plants of the genus ''Asclepias''. Milkweeds are a native perennial in North America. The seed pods produce a silky lightweight fuzz, called silk or floss. The lustrous, soft fibers are yellowish white in color. Milkweed fibers are too brittle to spin and are used for upholstery padding. They also have good buoyancy and were used as substitutes for [ | + | Fibers obtained from the seeds of any of several milkweed plants of the genus ''Asclepias''. Milkweeds are a native perennial in North America. The seed pods produce a silky lightweight fuzz, called silk or floss. The lustrous, soft fibers are yellowish white in color. Milkweed fibers are too brittle to spin and are used for upholstery padding. They also have good buoyancy and were used as substitutes for |
+ | [[kapok|kapok]] in lifebuoys during World War II. | ||
== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
− | ''Asclepias''; vegetable silk; milkweed floss; milkweed fibre (Br.); | + | ''Asclepias''; vegetable silk; milkweed floss; milkweed fibre (Br.); asclépiade (Fr.); zijdeplant (''Asclepias syriaca'') (Ned); |
[[File:MilkweedSeedsf5.jpg|thumb|Common milkweed | [[File:MilkweedSeedsf5.jpg|thumb|Common milkweed | ||
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== Additional Information == | == Additional Information == | ||
− | G.Cook, ''Handbook of Textile Fibres:I. Natural Fibres'', 5th edition, Merrow Publishing Co., Durham, England, 1984. | + | * G.Cook, ''Handbook of Textile Fibres:I. Natural Fibres'', 5th edition, Merrow Publishing Co., Durham, England, 1984. |
+ | * R.King, E.Hartley, "Unusual Fibers Used in Northwest Coast Ethnographic Textiles, Their Preparation & Their Structure", ''Technology & Conservation'', 1/79. | ||
== Additional Images == | == Additional Images == | ||
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File:milkweedfiberslarge.jpg|Milkweed fiber | File:milkweedfiberslarge.jpg|Milkweed fiber | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
+ | * For milkweed fiber identification, see http://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Category:FRIL:_Plant_Fibers | ||
+ | == Sources Checked for Data in Record == | ||
− | + | * J.Gordon Cook, ''Handbook of Textile Fibres:I Natural Fibres'', Merrow Publishing Co. , Durham, England, 1984 | |
− | * | + | * Poisonous Plants at http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/poison/plants/ppmilkw.htm (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005) |
− | * | + | * Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkweed (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005) |
− | * | + | * Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997 |
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− | |||
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998 | * ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998 |
Revision as of 13:17, 25 June 2020
Description
Fibers obtained from the seeds of any of several milkweed plants of the genus Asclepias. Milkweeds are a native perennial in North America. The seed pods produce a silky lightweight fuzz, called silk or floss. The lustrous, soft fibers are yellowish white in color. Milkweed fibers are too brittle to spin and are used for upholstery padding. They also have good buoyancy and were used as substitutes for Kapok in lifebuoys during World War II.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Asclepias; vegetable silk; milkweed floss; milkweed fibre (Br.); asclépiade (Fr.); zijdeplant (Asclepias syriaca) (Ned);
Other Properties
Fiber length = ~ 2 cm
Hazards and Safety
The sap and leaves of the plant are toxic to all mammals.
Additional Information
- G.Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:I. Natural Fibres, 5th edition, Merrow Publishing Co., Durham, England, 1984.
- R.King, E.Hartley, "Unusual Fibers Used in Northwest Coast Ethnographic Textiles, Their Preparation & Their Structure", Technology & Conservation, 1/79.
Additional Images
- For milkweed fiber identification, see http://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Category:FRIL:_Plant_Fibers
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- J.Gordon Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:I Natural Fibres, Merrow Publishing Co. , Durham, England, 1984
- Poisonous Plants at http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/poison/plants/ppmilkw.htm (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005)
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkweed (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005)
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998