Calotropis gigantea (L.) Aiton.
Common Name : Crown flower
Family : Asclepiadaceae
HABIT |
LARGE SHRUB, WHICH LOOKS LIKE A SMALL TREE; UP TO 5 M TALL. |
STEMS |
WOODY WITH YELLOWISH-WHITE
BARK. YOUNG STEMS AND BRANCHES COVERED WITH SOFT, LOOSELY APPRESSED, WHITISH,
WAXY OR SOME TIMES POWDERY PUBESCENCE. |
LEAVES |
FLESHY, OBOVATE OR OBOVATE-OBLONG, APEX ACUTE, RARELY ROUNDED,
BASE CORDATE, 6-20 CM LONG AND 3-8 CM WIDE, GLAUCOUS GREEN, SMOOTH ABOVE,
COTTONY BELOW. |
FLOWERS |
14-15 MM LONG AND 3-4.5 CM IN
DIAMETER; CLUSTERS OF WAXY FLOWERS THAT ARE EITHER WHITE OR LAVENDER IN
COLOUR. EACH FLOWER CONSISTS OF FIVE POINTED PETALS AND A SMALL, ELEGANT
“CROWN” RISING FROM THE CENTRE. |
FRUITS |
A FOLLICLE. |
SEEDS |
BROADLY OVATE, FLATTENED,
BROWN IN COLOR 2.5-3.2 CM LONG INCLUDING THE WHITE TUFT OF HAIRS AT THE
POINTED END. |