Crown Flower
Description : The giant Indian milkweed (Calotropis gigantea), native to Southeast Asia, is a robust perennial plant known for its large, leathery leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers, which range in color from white to pale purple; it produces a milky latex that has been traditionally used in various medicinal applications and is also a host plant for monarch butterflies.
- Medicinal Benefits :
- The milky latex contains calotropin and uscharin, known for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties.
- Used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory conditions, digestive disorders, and skin diseases.
- Aids in wound healing, fever reduction, and treatment of snake bites and scorpion stings.
- Root bark is used for asthma relief.
- Other Uses
- The fibrous stem can be used to make ropes, textiles, and paper.
- The plant's latex is sometimes used as a natural insect repellent.
- Host plant for monarch butterflies, crucial for their lifecycle.
Suitable Climate Condition : Giant Indian milkweed thrives in warm, tropical to subtropical climates with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). It requires full sun exposure and grows best in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils, though it can tolerate poor and saline soils. The plant needs moderate rainfall, ideally between 500 to 1000 mm annually, and is highly drought-tolerant, preferring drier conditions with moderate humidity levels.