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African milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias fruticosa

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

African Milkweed (Asclepias fruticosa)

African milkweed, scientifically known as Asclepias fruticosa, is a fascinating plant with several common names and interesting ecological interactions. Read on to learn more about this milkweed species.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant's tissues contain cardenolides.
  • Butterflies of the family Danaidae are considered to be toxic or distasteful due to the presence of cardiac glycosides sequestered from milkweed species.
  • There is also mention of an African milk tree or African milk weed , Euphorbiaceae, but this is related to Euphorbia trigona.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant's tissues contain cardenolides.
  • Butterflies of the family Danaidae are considered to be toxic or distasteful due to the presence of cardiac glycosides sequestered from milkweed species.

Common Names

  • African Milkweed
  • Balloon Milkweed
  • Balloon Wild Cotton
  • Hairy Balls
  • Bindweed
  • Swan Plant

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Asclepias fruticosa
  • Family: Asclepiadaceae
  • Synonyms:
    • Gomphocarpus fruticosus
    • Gomphocarpus physocarpus (often confused with Asclepias fruticosa)
  • Symbol: ASFR13

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to South Africa
  • Common in New Zealand
  • Also found in Australia and elsewhere due to introduction

Ecological Role

  • Host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars
  • Imperative for Monarch survival
  • Can be considered invasive in certain regions due to its ability to support Monarch populations outside their native range.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Evergreen shrub
  • Typically reaches about 1 meter in height (herbaceous perennial)
  • Unique seed pods (balloon-like)
  • Deep root system can develop

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Main host of Monarch butterflies and their caterpillars
  • Flowers are pollinated by wasps and beetles
  • Serves as a food source for milkweed grasshoppers
  • Wasps can become trapped by the plant.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant's fruit is referred to as "hairy balls".
  • Some African milkweed species are capable of dismembering wasp pollinators.

Further Information

  • Kew Gardens renamed species from Africa to Gomphocarpus.