Bow-string hemp, Crown-flower, Giant milkweed
Calotropis gigantea

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows to 5 m high. The stems are covered with white woolly hairs. The leaves are simple and opposite. The leaves are fattened oval shape. They are 10-16 cm long by 8-10 cm wide. They are woolly and the veins are light. The flowers are about 5 cm across.

There are 3 Calotropis species. It has anticancer properties. It can be a weed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. They can grow in hot dry situations. They can grow in humid climates if they have very good drainage. They can tolerate salt. It can grow in arid places. In southern China it grows in woods in dry areas and along stream banks from sea level to 1,400 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Cambodia, Central Africa, Central America, China, East Africa, East Timor, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, South America, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, West Timor

How it is used for food

An alcoholic drink is made from the leaves. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The plant yields a kind of manna. The flowers are made into a sweet meat. The leaves are cooked with alkali and dry fish. CAUTION: The milky sap is poisonous. It can also cause skin irritation.

Edible parts

Manna, plant - drink, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Aank, Biduri, Indian milkweed, Kapal kapal, Kayu berduri, Kemengu, Lechoso, Pua kalaunu, Rak-dok, Rembaga, Remiga, Ruvaa, Widuri

Synonyms

Asclepias gigantea Roxb.;