The Union Ministry of Textiles is promoting research into milkweed fibre, a natural fibre derived from the seeds of the milkweed plant. Milkweed fibre is oily, lignin-rich, and hydrophobic, repelling water and oil. It is used in the paper industry, water safety equipment, and oil spill cleanup due to its toxic compounds.
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The Union Ministry of Textiles promotes research and development of new natural fibres, including milkweed fibre.
It is derived from the seeds of the milkweed plant, scientifically known as Asclepias syriaca L. This plant belongs to the Asclepias genus of the Asclepiadaceae family, and is commonly known as a stubborn weed.
It is a flowering plant native to southern Canada and much of the United States, with the exception of the drier prairie regions.
It prefers sunny locations with sandy soils, but it can grow in a variety of soil conditions.
It can grow up to 1.8 meters tall. When cut, the plant produces white latex.
In India, it grows wild in Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
It contains oily material and lignin, a woody substance, making it difficult to spin. The fibre's surface is hydrophobic and oleophobic due to the natural waxes on it, which means it repels both water and oil.
The plant's latex contains toxic compounds, making the older parts toxic to humans and large animals. When properly prepared, young shoots, leaves, flower buds, and immature fruits are edible. It has also been studied for use in rubber production, as a fibre source, and as an insulation material.
It is used in the paper industry and as an insulating filler material.
It is also used in water safety equipment like life jackets and belts.
It is useful in oil spill cleanup because it effectively absorbs oil while repelling water.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.The term “Asclepias syriaca L” is frequently seen in the news, it is related to: A) Bacteria B) Fish C) Plant D) Bird Answer: C Explanation: Asclepias syriaca is a type of flowering plant that is also known as Virginia silkweed, common milkweed, butterfly flower, silkweed, and silky swallow-wort. With the exception of the drier prairie regions, it is indigenous to southern Canada and a large portion of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. |
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