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Asclepias curassavica

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Apocynaceae Genus: Asclepias

bloodflower, butterfly weed, laulele, nu‘umela

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Erect perennial herbs 6–8(–20) dm tall.

Stems: Stems unbranched or many-branched, glabrous or puberulent, especially on younger parts.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades lanceolate to linear–lanceolate, narrowly oblong–elliptic, or elliptic, 5–16 cm long, 1–3(–4) cm wide. Apex acuminate or acute. Base decurrent into petiole. Surfaces glabrous or abaxially puberulent along veins. Margins entire. Petioles 1–2 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in axillary umbellate cymes, pedicels 1–2 cm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx of 5 sepals, small and often obscured by the petals. Corolla red to reddish orange, the lobes ovate to oblong, 4–7 mm long, reflexed at anthesis, glabrous. Stamens 5; corona bright yellow, the segments erect, 4–5 mm long, exceeded by the conspicuous inner horn. Ovary superior, 2, free; ovules numerous; styles connate; stigma head fleshy.

Fruit: Fruit of 2 follicles; follicles erect; fusiform; 8–10 cm long; 1–1.5 cm in diameter. Seeds numerous; flattened.

Ploidy: 2n = 22

Habitat: Naturalized in low elevation; often dry habitats on all of the main islands.

Elevation Range: up to 950 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Wind

Pollinators

Specimens

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Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 215 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:240 (Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, Ka, H); Wood & LeGrande 2006:19/Caum 25 BISH (Le†, 1931, [noted as lacking specimen, but specimen since found at BISH])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Asclepias curassavica S half of island Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
2 Asclepias curassavica Lehua Rock Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. 25 Lehua Rock BISH 1931-04-20
3 Asclepias curassavica Palawai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 145 Lanai BISH 1913-10-10
4 Asclepias curassavica Kaloko Reservoir (near Kilauea) Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 517 Kauai BISH 1916-10-07
5 Asclepias curassavica Trail behind Waianae near summit of N. slope of ridge Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 3001 Oahu BISH 1945-11-24
6 Asclepias curassavica Honolulu: Kalihi Road Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 661 Oahu BISH 1908-11-11
7 Asclepias curassavica On Kaholuamanoa, above Waimea Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 1950 Kauai BISH 1895-09-02
8 Asclepias curassavica Makua-Ohikilolo Ridge Preserved_Specimen Chock, A.K. 432 Oahu BISH 1952-02-24
9 Asclepias curassavica Central wind-swept plain, in a gulch Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. 738 Kahoolawe BISH 1931-02-16
10 Asclepias curassavica Kalihi Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-10-14
11 Asclepias curassavica Makaha Valley Preserved_Specimen McAllister, Mrs.J.G. Oahu BISH 1930-04-13
12 Asclepias curassavica Hauula Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Oahu BISH 1908-11-14
13 Asclepias curassavica Railroad track in Puna on lava flow of 1840 Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1066 Hawaii BISH 1915-07-07
14 Asclepias curassavica Honolulu: Kalihi Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 659 Oahu BISH 1908-11-11
15 Asclepias curassavica East Maui, Waiopai, S slope of Haleakala Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1853 Maui BISH 1920-03-05
16 Asclepias curassavica Miki Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 301 Lanai BISH 1928-02-06
17 Asclepias curassavica Ridges above Makaha Valley Preserved_Specimen MacDaniels, L.H. 595 Oahu BISH 1927-01-31
18 Asclepias curassavica Waimea Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Hawaii BISH 1909-06-01
19 Asclepias curassavica Milolii Valley Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1984-07-16
20 Asclepias curassavica S half of island Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
21 Asclepias curassavica Honolulu: Palolo, West Ridge Preserved_Specimen Lyon, H.L. Oahu BISH 1909-11-28
22 Asclepias curassavica [Hawaiian Islands Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH 1908-11-14
23 Asclepias curassavica unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 438 BISH 1864-01-01
24 Asclepias curassavica Palawai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 320 Lanai BISH 1913-10-10
25 Asclepias curassavica Lehua Rock Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. 25 Lehua Rock BISH 1931-04-20
26 Asclepias curassavica unknown Preserved_Specimen (Not on sheet) BISH
27 Asclepias curassavica unknown Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. BISH
28 Asclepias curassavica Haao Valley, S Ridge Weed in Opuntia pasture. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 23641 Niihau BISH 1949-04-01
29 Asclepias curassavica South Kona District: Land of Kapua Occasional along jeep trails. Preserved_Specimen Milky shrub 0.5 m. in height. Nagata, K.M. 2613 Hawaii BISH 1983-02-13
30 Asclepias curassavica Kaluakoi Abandoned pineapple field near Mauna Loa Town. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Herb with bright orange flowers. Herbst, D.R. 5756 Molokai BISH 1976-03-11
31 Asclepias curassavica Nalapue Common everywhere. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9827 Molokai BISH 1928-07-13
32 Asclepias curassavica Near Kapoho By road. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Hawaii BISH 1929-08-04
33 Asclepias curassavica Puuwaawaa; remnant dryland community near the Huluhulu escarpment transect (T16) Growing on a'a substrate. Preserved_Specimen Occasional weed. Takeuchi, W.N. 5715 Hawaii BISH 1989-12-26
34 Asclepias curassavica Nuuanu Pali at hairpin curve Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Degener Student 8377 Oahu BISH 1926-11-20
35 Asclepias curassavica Hanalei District, Hanakpiai, lower valley next to LZ above stream crossing at beach. Weedy lowland forest Pandanus tectorius, Metrosideros polymorpha var glaberrima, Aleurites moluccana, Coix lacrima-jobi, Ipomoea cairica, Spathodea campanulata, Cordyline fruticosa, Schefflera actinophylla, Casuarina equi Preserved_Specimen Cluster of around 15 plants growing at edge of LZ near bathrooms just above the stream crossing in lower Hanakapiai. Plants around 2-3 tall. Pepp, K. 1052106 Kauai BISH 2021-01-05
36 Asclepias curassavica Puna District: Collected in the ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve Growing along the side of the old railroad. Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-08-15
37 Asclepias curassavica Hawaii National Volcanoes Park, Kipuka Nene Frequent in grassy areas. Preserved_Specimen Fagerlund, G.O. 22 Hawaii BISH 1942-11-01
38 Asclepias curassavica N rim of Koaie Canyon Diverse mesic forrest. With Metrosideros polymorpha, Dodonaea viscosa, Psychotria mariniana, Santalum freycinetianum, and Kadua affinis forming 5 m patchy canopy. Preserved_Specimen Sprawling herb, 1 m long, in understory. Milky sap. Trauernicht, C. 727 Kauai BISH 2009-02-02
39 Asclepias curassavica Waimea Arboretum In dappled shade. Preserved_Specimen A sparingly branched shrub 0.9 m. tall. Corolla scarlet. Corona orange. Flower malodorous. Lau, J. 2696 Oahu BISH 1986-08-04
40 Asclepias curassavica Honolalino Dry forest. Preserved_Specimen Herb to 2' tall. Flowers yellow and orange. Horiuchi, H. 292 Hawaii BISH 1980-10-16
41 Asclepias curassavica ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District This plant was collected in an area where a Dicranopteris emarginata patch had been cleared away. The area is exposed to direct sunlight. This was the only plant of Asclepias curassavica encountered in the forested area. Preserved_Specimen Yoshida, L. 79.107 Hawaii BISH 1979-04-18
42 Asclepias curassavica Puuwaawaa, Growing in disturbed pasture land at base of cliffs below Puu Hulu Hulu. Preserved_Specimen Herb to sub-shrub with yellow and orange flowers. Herbst, D.R. 5292 Hawaii BISH 1975-05-02
43 Asclepias curassavica C1 (from Lua Makika area to Hakioawa). On ridge (Coastline) On ridge (Coastline) Preserved_Specimen Char, W.P. 78.042 Kahoolawe BISH 1978-11-23
44 Asclepias curassavica Barbers Point Coral plain, near beach. Preserved_Specimen Hartt, C.E. Oahu BISH 1937-08-08
45 Asclepias curassavica Waianae Mountains, E. side Preserved_Specimen Gillespie, J.W. 1049 Oahu BISH 1927-07-06
46 Asclepias curassavica East Maui, 8.0 miles E of Ulupalakua Ranch on Piilani Highway (Hwy. 31), 4.9 miles W of Manawainui In loose cinders off roadside. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4770 Maui BISH 1983-01-14
47 Asclepias curassavica Keaau Makua Forest Reserve Makua In the lowland below the forest gate. Preserved_Specimen Davis, H. Oahu BISH 1932-11-25
48 Asclepias curassavica Site off of Bobcat Trail, 300 m NE of Naohueleelua rock crushing site Community: open Metrosideros treeland with sparce understory. Topography: level. Substrate: roadside gravel. Associates: Metrosideros polymorpha, Dodonaea viscosa, Styphelia tameiameiae, Heterotheca grandiflora. Preserved_Specimen Close, B. 99512 Hawaii BISH 1995-09-29
49 Asclepias curassavica Koele Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 182 Lanai BISH 1913-06-01
50 Asclepias curassavica Kailua By wayside Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-11-26
51 Asclepias curassavica Honolulu; Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 3 Oahu BISH 1919-09-20
52 Asclepias curassavica Honolulu: Palolo Valley, right fork Along roadside. Preserved_Specimen Flowering. 12 inches high. Garber, D.W. 538 Oahu BISH 1921-02-27
53 Asclepias curassavica Waimea Arboretum In dappled shade. Preserved_Specimen A sparingly branched shrub 0.9 meters tall. Corolla scarlet. Corona orange. Flower malodorous. Lau, J. 2482 Oahu BISH 1986-06-02
54 Asclepias curassavica Puuwaawaa; paddock near origin of transect T4 Common. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Takeuchi, W.N. 5831 Hawaii BISH 1989-04-01
55 Asclepias curassavica Makaha Pasture near sea. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 2075 Oahu BISH 1925-12-01
56 Asclepias curassavica Puuwaawaa; remnant dryland community near the Huluhulu escarpment transect (T16) occasional weed on a'a substrate. Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 5715 Hawaii BISH 1989-12-26
57 Asclepias curassavica North Kona: Puuwaawaa Along dry rocky roadside. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Webster, G.L. 1845 Hawaii BISH 1948-06-21
58 Asclepias curassavica Poooneone Thicket near beach. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22742 Niihau BISH 1947-08-12
59 Asclepias curassavica Kamokunui Gulch Pasture. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10794 Oahu BISH 1936-04-13
60 Asclepias curassavica East Maui, Hana District, Coastal pasture lands SE of Kauiki from Kaihalulu Bay to Ka Iwi O Pele Preserved_Specimen Herb of four fruits. Leaves dark-green above, paler below. Petals orange-red, corona yellow-orange. Flynn, T.W. 2551 Maui BISH 1987-10-22
61 Asclepias curassavica Kau District: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. By Hilina Pali road, approx. 3.2 kim. to Hilina Pali Shelter Preserved_Specimen Common. Herb approx. 3 meters high. Flowers with deep orange corollas & bright yellow coronas. Fruit approx. 4 cm. long. Herat, T. 783 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-27
62 Asclepias curassavica Along Highway 56 at bridge over Waioli Stream, just W. of Hanalei Preserved_Specimen Corolla red, corona yellow. Wagner, W.L. 5164 Kauai BISH 1983-12-21
63 Asclepias curassavica Kalaupapa; Waihanau, near dump Preserved_Specimen erect perennial herb; flower bright yellow and orange Wysong, M.L. 799 Molokai BISH 2005-08-18
64 Asclepias curassavica Mokuleia; Kaaawa-Kamokunui Ridge Pteridium-Psidium Assn. Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7003 Oahu BISH 1934-07-11
65 Asclepias curassavica Near Hilo; terminal portion of 1880-1 lava flow Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 531 Hawaii BISH 1915-05-17
66 Asclepias curassavica Honolulu: Kalihi Valley Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 660 Oahu BISH 1908-11-11
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