The term “monophyletic” refers to a group of organisms that share a single common ancestor, and this common ancestor is included within the group.
In other words, all members of a monophyletic group are more closely related to each other than to any organism outside the group. In the context of plant or animal classification, a monophyletic group would include a particular ancestral species and all of its descendants, without exception.
Monophyletic Milkweed
The genus Asclepias, commonly known as milkweeds, has traditionally been considered to be monophyletic, meaning that all species within the genus are believed to have evolved from a single common ancestor. The shared characteristics among milkweeds, such as their unique floral structure and their production of toxic latex, support the idea that they have a common evolutionary origin.
Milkweed Seeds
Seeds for growing plants in the Milkweed genus (Asclepias); required for all Milkweed butterflies, like the Monarch and Queen.