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Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) W.T. Aiton
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Asclepias fruticosa |
| Common Name: | African Milkweed, Swan Plant, 钉头果 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Africa, Arabia and Mediterranea |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | Erect, glabrous with revolute margin. |
|---|---|
| Stems | Multi-stemmed,covered with short hair when young, light brown, often with watery or milky sap. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence a drooping umbel of flower, each flower on a pedicel 1-2cm long, cream-white with green-purple corona; corolla lobes re-flexed. |
| Fruit | Green pod turning brown with age, covered with soft spines, tapering to a beak, containing numerous black seeds bearing long silky hairs about 3 cm long. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: A leaf infusion is used to treat diarrhoea and stomach pain. Roots are used to relieve stomach pain and general aches in the body. The floss is sometimes used for stuffing. Cut - Dried Flower: Foliage and the fruit are used in floral arrangements. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Linear) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29779 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4088 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |