38
Calotropis
gigantea (L.) R. Br.
Synonym : Asclepias gigantea L.
Family
: Asclepiadaceae
Local Names
: Erikku, Milkweed, Bowstring
hemp
Flowering
and fruiting period:
Thoughout the year
Distribution: Tropical Asia
Habitat: Wastelands
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic:
No
Uses: Flowers edible. All parts of plants considered to be
medicinally effective if taken in small doses. Bark used for dermatitis and
syphilis -- treatment is so effective for the latter that plant is known as
'vegetable mercury'. Leaves used as poultice. Flowers used to relieve asthma.
Toxic milky sap also known to be used to induce abortions and for infanticide. Plant
sap used for tanning and making yellow dye. Fine fibres can be extracted from
stems. Flowers are long-lasting, and often used as cut flower in floral
arrangements.
Key
Characters:
Shrubs, stem rounded. Leaves simple,
opposite. Flowers pale purple or greenish-white; pedicels stout. Calyx lobes to
3 mm long.
