Gomphocarpus fruticosus

Gomphocarpus fruticosus (swan plant; narrow-leaved cotton bush) is a species of plant native to South Africa.[2] It is also common in Australia and New Zealand where it is a host of the monarch butterfly.[3] 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.[4][5][6]

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.
An illustration of the species in Hortus Romanus

The plant, also referred to as Narrow leaf cotton bush, has officially been declared a pest in Western Australia.[7]

The species is closely related to Gomphocarpus physocarpus.

References

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  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. ^ Multiple sources:
  4. ^ Van Wyk, Van Oudshoorn & Gerike: Medicinal plants of South Africa, Briza Publications 1997. ISBN 1-875093-09-5
  5. ^ Philip H. Quanjer. "Milk Weed Asclepias fruticosa". Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  6. ^ p. 36 in D. Jesse Wagstaff (2008). International Poisonous Plants Checklist, An Evidence-Based Reference. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. ISBN 9781420062533.
  7. ^ "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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