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giant milkweed

Scientific Name: Calotropis gigantea

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Giant Milkweed: A Monarch's Delight

Giant Milkweed (Calotropis gigantea) is a fascinating plant known for its importance as a host plant for Monarch butterflies. Let's explore what makes this plant unique.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant contains milky sap that oozes from any cut or broken part.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant contains milky sap that oozes from any cut or broken part.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Calotropis gigantea
  • Common Names: Crown Flower, Giant Calotrope, Giant Milkweed, Gigantic Swallow-wort, Sodom apple, calotrope, French cotton, small crown flower (English), algodn de seda, bomba (Spanish), Arka.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Apocynaceae (Formerly: Asclepiadaceae)
  • Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
  • Synonyms: Asclepias gigantean, Asclepias procera Ait.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, China, Pakistan, North Africa, and southern Asia.
  • USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11.

Ecological Role

  • Host plant for Monarch butterflies.
  • Attracts wildlife to the garden.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A shrub or small tree, potentially growing up to 6 feet or taller to 4 meters.
  • Can be grown as an annual in colder climates.
  • Spreading growth habit.
  • Produces white or lavender flowers.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • It serves as the sole host plant for Monarch butterflies. Caterpillars dine on its leaves.
  • Giant Milkweed Bug (Sephina gundlachii) interacts with this plant.

Propagation

  • Propagated from softwood stem cuttings using rooting hormone powder.
  • Seeds should be sown 1/2 cm deep in sterile gardening soil and kept in a warm environment around 24°C.

Additional Information

  • Calotropis procera is also referred to as giant milkweed and is a fast-growing shrub native to North Africa and southern Asia.

Resources

  • Lee County Extension, Fort Myers, Florida: Stephen H. Brown, Horticulture Agent (brownsh@ufl.edu)
  • Dave's Garden
  • ResearchGate