Isn't it always the way - a couple of years ago I had so many monarch caterpillars and no food for them. This year I have so many swan plants self seeded from pods just like these - and where were the Monarch butterflies? MIA. Maybe next summer....? In the meantime these pods look ready to burst forth in springtime which is unfortunately quite a long time to wait.
Too bad about the monarchs - hopefully they will return.