Calotropis gigantea
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Giant milkweed, Giant Calotrope, Crown Flower
Origin: India
Medium sized to large shrub; all parts of the plant contain milky latex and soft white tomentum. Lilac colored flowers are found arranged in an inflorescence, which is an umbellate cyme. These are borne on the axils of leaves. The flower with its characteristic staminal corona is one of the key to identifying this plant. The fruit is a follicle and when dry seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs, is a delight for small children, who like to blow it and watch it float in the air. This plant plays host to a variety of insects. The butterfly ‘Plain Tiger’and ‘Common Crow’ breeds here; their caterpillars feed on the leaves, pupate and metamorphose into adults. The shiny blue bee Xylocopa can also be seen visiting this flower. Although its blooms can be seen all through the year, its flowers are particularly abundant during summer season. The plant also has medicinal valve. Its latex is used to remove thorns from the skin. The plant is hardy at least to zone 9 and drought tolerant.
