These are great. I was working on a milkweed pod, too, and I noticed that the seeds, which I always "knew" were a flat ellipse/teardrop shape with a seed in the middle and a skrim of "wing" on the perimeter, are actually curved like a human spine when observed from the side. Perhaps this allows them to catch a lighter breeze or travel further?
Hi, Mary Louise: My extension (try local colleges, universities, botanical gardens) was very helpful, and I have bought a couple local "weed" books that really made a difference.