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Asclepias curassavica

Asclepias curassavica

(Red-headed Cottonbush)

FAMILY

Apocynaceae / Asclepiadaceae

Species

Asclepias curassavica

Common name(s)

Red-headed Cottonbush

Flower colour; life form

Flowers orange-red; shrub to 1 m tall.

Distinguishing features

Plants with opposite, entire leaves, 7-10 cm long, to 1.2 cm wide; latex present. Flowers in clusters at the ends of the branches, orange-red. Fruit are follicles about 7.5 cm long, 1.2 cm diameter. Seeds bear tufts of long, white silky hairs.

Asclepias curassavica