Gomphocarpus fruticosus

Gomphocarpus fruticosus is a species of plant native to South Africa.[2] It is also common in New Zealand where it is the main host of the monarch butterfly. The plant's tissues contain sufficient cardenolides that consumption of significant quantities of the plant's leaves, stems, or fruit may lead to death in livestock and humans.[3][4][5]

An illustration of the species in Hortus Romanus

Gomphocarpus fruticosus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Gomphocarpus
Species:
G. fruticosus
Binomial name
Gomphocarpus fruticosus
(L.) W.T.Aiton
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Apocynum salicifolium Medik.
    • Asclepias angustifolia Schweigg.
    • Asclepias cornuta (Decne.) Cordem.
    • Asclepias crinita (G.Bertol.) N.E.Br.
    • Asclepias decipiens N.E.Br.
    • Asclepias flavida N.E.Br.
    • Asclepias fruticosa L.
    • Asclepias glabra Mill.
    • Asclepias rostrata N.E.Br.
    • Asclepias salicifolia Salisb. nom. illeg.
    • Asclepias setosa Forssk.
    • Asclepias virgata Balb.
    • Gomphocarpus angustifolius (Schweigg.) Link
    • Gomphocarpus arachnoideus E.Fourn.
    • Gomphocarpus cornutus Decne.
    • Gomphocarpus crinitus G.Bertol.
    • Gomphocarpus rostratus (N.E.Br.) Bullock
    • Gomphocarpus setosus (Forssk.) R.Br. ex Schult.

The plant, also referred to as Narrow leaf cotton bush, has officially been declared a pest in Western Australia.[6]

The species is closely related to Gomphocarpus physocarpus.

References
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, version 1.1".
  2. Clive Bromilow; Problem Plants of South Africa, Briza Publications 2001 ISBN 1-875093-27-3
  3. Van Wyk, Van Oudshoorn & Gerike: Medicinal plants of South Africa, Briza Publications 1997. ISBN 1-875093-09-5
  4. Philip H. Quanjer. "Milk Weed Asclepias fruticosa". Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  5. p. 36 in D. Jesse Wagstaff (2008). International Poisonous Plants Checklist, An Evidence-Based Reference. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. ISBN 9781420062533.
  6. "Narrow leaf cotton bush: declared pest". agric.wa.gov.au. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2021. Narrow leaf cotton bush (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA).


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