Blood Flower
Asclepias curassavica
Apocynaceae
Other names
Swallow Wort
Growth habit
Sub-Shrub
Perennation
Annual
Native distribution
South America
Biocultural value
The plant contains calotropin, a cardiac glycoside.
Location
Source of plant
Richters
Description
Annual or short-lived evergreen subshrub, sometimes developing tubers, 1x1m. Leaves to 15cm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, opposite. Flowers in axillary or subterminal cymes; corolla 10mm across, golden yellow, reflexed; hoods erect, yellow-orange; horns acicular, prominent, to 0.75cm. Fruit to 15cm, narrowly ovoid-fusiform.
USDA Hardiness Zone
9
Special characteristics
butterfly plant, tender perennial, medicinal/pharmaceutical