Giant Milkweed

Kampung Sungai Ular, Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

Kampung Belukar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Sungai Ular, Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Belukar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Sungai Ular, Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Follicles obliquely elliptic to oblong-lanceolate. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Belukar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Belukar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Chimur, Maharashtra, India

Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

Gujarat, India

Kampung Sungai Ular, Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Follicle obliquely elliptic to oblong-lanceolate and favorite to many insects such as Dysdercus cingulatus (Red cotton stainer). Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Belukar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Sungai Ular, Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Follicles obliquely elliptic to oblong-lanceolate and favorite to many insects such as Dysdercus cingulatus (Red cotton stainer). Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Belukar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Sungai Ular, Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Belukar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

The complex flower of the Giant Milkweed. Although native to southeastern Asia, this huge (to 4 meters tall) herb as been widely planted and widely escaped. Poisonous/medicinal. Photo is of a weed in Tanzania.

Family: AsclepiadaceaeDistribution: A common weed in waste places and as pure strands along the coast. Distibuted in India, Srilanka and Chaina, Malaysia.1-2.5mts tall shrubs, stem branched, all fleshy parts of the plant secrete milky latex, Leaves leathery, with white waxy coating, in opposite decussate phyllotaxy, 4-11x3-6cm, base auricled, sessile, obovate acute, Flowers 2-3cm across, pale bluish- purple in terminal umbellate cymes. Calyx 5 lobed, corolla lobes 5, spreading, corona scales narrow, shorter than the staminal column, corona lobes fleshy adnate to and radiating from the large staminal column with an up curved involute spur. Stamens inserted at the base of the corolla, anthers short horny at the angled wings. Pollen masses solitary. Ovary of 2 distinct carpels, styles slender united above half way and stigma a depressed pentagonous flehy structure. 2 large inflated fleshy follicles from a single flower. Seeds comose. Photographed at Nellore. The plant is toxic but in very small quantities the root bark, flowers, leaves, and latex are used as medicine in Ayurveda and tribal medicine. Reference: e floras, ENVIS, Flora of Madras Presidency by J.S.Gamble.

KKampung Sungai Ular, Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Empty persistent follicle after the seeds were dispersed by wind. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Kampung Belukar, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm

Grande Baie, Riviere du Rempart, Mauritius

Kampung Sungai Ular, Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Seeds broadly ovate, 5-7 3-4 mm; coma 2.5-4 cm. Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton. Apocynaceae, also placed in Asclepiadaceae. CN: [Malay - Lembiaga, Lembega, Rembaga, Merigu, Meriga, Inggu, Bunga hantu, Indonesia - Widuri, Beduri], Crown flower, Mayo, Bowstring hemp, Giant milkweed. Native to Iran, China, Indian Subcontinent (Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Indo-China (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Indonesia, Malaysia); elsewhere naturalized or cultivated. Large shrub. Inflorescence a cluster of waxy flowers either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. Leaves oval, light green leaves and milky stem. Fruit a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs. Used as ornamental; source of fiber; although the plant parts are poisonous but a reputed homeopathic drug in many cultures.Synonym(s):Asclepias gigantea L.Periploca cochinchinensis LoureiroStreptocaulon cochinchinense (Loureiro) G. Don.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?8652zipcodezoo.com/Plants/C/Calotropis_gigantea/www.flowersofindia.in/catalog/slides/Crown Flower.htmlwww.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropfactsheets/calotropis.htmlwww.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm