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Calotropis procera

(Aiton) W.T.Aiton (1811)

This name is accepted

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

purple crownflower, small crownflower

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs or small trees to 6 m tall, erect, canescent.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades ovate to obovate, 10–30 × 5–15 cm. Apex abruptly pointed. Base cordate. Surfaces grayish green or hoary white. Margins entire. Petioles very short. Stipules present, possibly only in seedlings, up to 1mm long.

Flowers: Flowers in cymes umbel-like, 3–10–flowered, finely woolly; peduncle 2–5.5 cm. pedicel 1.5–2.5 cm. Flowers bisexual (perfect), 5-merous, actinomorphic. Calyx 5-parted, sepals elliptic or ovate, ca. 5 × 3 mm, with basal glands. Flower buds subglobose. Corolla white outside, pinkish inside, 1.5–2 cm in diam.; lobes with purple–brown apices, broadly ovate or ovate–triangular, 7–10 × 6–10 mm, spreading. corona lobes 5, as long as gynostegium, fleshy, laterally compressed, apex with a tubercle on each side, with spur. Stamens 5; filaments connate; anther appendages incurved. Pollinia 2 per pollinarium, oblong, pendulous. Ovary superior; styles long; stigma head slightly convex.

Fruit: Follicles subglobose to obliquely ovoid; inflated; 6–10 × 3–7 cm; pericarp thick; spongy. Seeds ca. 6 × 4 mm; coma 3.5–5 cm.

Ploidy: 2n = 22

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Potentially Naturalizing
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Wind

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Specimens

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Bibliography

Name Published In: Hortus Kew. 2: 78 (1811)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:238 (H? [reported escaping by Ke?hole Airport]); Staples & Herbst 2005:140 (KEY), 141 (DESCR); Wood & LeGrande 2006:19 (NEWNAT/Le); Wood 2006:15 (K); Oppenheimer 2008:23 (L); Parker & Parsons 2012a:56 (H); Starr & Starr 2012:87 (EM, WM, Ka, Misapplied: Calotropis gigantea, in part)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton East Maui, Kihei, above (mauka) Kihei High tech Center, mauka side of gate In recently disturbed area to make culvert. Associated vegetation: Cenchrus ciliaris, Prosopis pallida, unknown Asteraceae. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. 010503-2 Maui BISH 3/3/2001
2 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Koloa, Poipu, NTBG, Visitor's Center PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 7325 Kauai BISH 7/25/2007
3 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Poipu. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Visitor's Center. Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 7349 Kauai PTBG 7/25/2007
4 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton otto swezey's garden, honolulu, t.h. Shady ground PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener 10590 MIN 6/5/1935
5 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Hikimoe valley, just north of Polihale beach; 5 mature individuals present on 35 degree slope in dry, sparsely vegetated coastal shrubland dominated by Myoporum sandwicense PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kelsey Brock 783 Kauai PTBG 2/11/2016
6 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton On SE side 110 deg. Grassland/herbland association. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. R. Wood 11533 Lehua PTBG 10/5/2005
7 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton N of Makaiwa. Sandy soil. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H10705 Lanai PTBG 1/4/2007
8 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Polihale, lower Saki Mana road to Polihale beach, 2.2 miles in from paved road, mauka side of road in ditch, invasive grassland and shrubland PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. R. Wood 11614 Kauai PTBG 11/9/2005
9 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Inner crescent. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. R. Wood 11345 Lehua PTBG 5/14/2005
10 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Kekaha, off of Kekaha road, also excessible from side road off of Kala Road. Many naturalized in empty lot next to the old sugar mill. Collected as part of KISC 2007 Early Detection Roadside Survey. KISC #20070606A015. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1397 Kauai PTBG 6/6/2007
11 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton kekaha, off of kekaha road, from side road off of kala road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. tangalin 1397 Lanai US 6/6/2007
12 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Kahului. In sandy soil west of Kuihelani Hwy between mile markers 3-5. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H80405 Maui PTBG 8/19/2004
13 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Route 19 very near the turnoff to Keahole Airport, N of Kona, Hawaii County PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Harriman, N. A. 16384 Hawaii US 12/25/1979
14 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton honolulu garden, calbia PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. f. rock 12552 Hawaii US
15 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton On islet along steep lower central inner crest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN k. r. wood 11345 Lehua US 5/14/2005
16 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton kona acres subdivision, n kona district under ohia PRESERVED_SPECIMEN parker, j. parsons, r.; franklin, j. collector number: bied97 Kauai BISH 8/12/2009
17 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton w maui, wailuku district,kahului Disturbed lowlands. Abandoned sugar cane field. Associated vegetation: kiawe, `Ilima, Pluchea odorata, `uhaloa. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN starr, f. martz, k. collector number: 010701-1 Maui BISH 7/1/2001
18 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton puu moiwi, along k-1. Side of road. Scattered in area. Naturalized. Open hardpan with scattered plants, especially grasses (Heteropogon contortus, Cenchrus ciliaris). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN starr, f. starr, k.; bruch, j. collector number: 101228-01 Kahoolawe BISH 12/28/2010
19 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Honolulu. Planted in Catto Swezey's Garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 7146 Oahu BISH 3/3/1931
20 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Honolulu: Manoa Valley; O.H. Swezey's yard PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Swezey, O.H. s.n. Oahu BISH 8/25/1930
21 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Waipio Peninsula, 1/4 miles north of Walker's Bay PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stormont, B. s.n. Hawaii BISH 7/28/1986
22 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton N of Makaiwa Sparingly naturalized in sandy soil. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H10705 Lanai BISH 1/4/2007
23 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Hawaiian Islands; Lehua inner crescent, Panicum torridum-Chenopodium murale-Ageratum conyzoides association adjacent to Portulaca oleracea, Jacquemontia ovalifolia, and Sicyos maximowiczii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wood, K.R. 11345 Lehua Rock BISH 5/14/2005
24 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton On islet along steep lower central inner crest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wood, K. R. 11345 Lehua US 5/14/2005
25 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton route 19 very near the turnoff to keahole airport, n of kona, hawaii county PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. a. harriman 16384 Hawaii US 12/25/1979
26 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Kekaha, off of Kekaha road, from side road off of Kala road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1397 Kauai US 6/6/2007
27 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Waipio Peninsula, 1/4 mi N of Walkers Bay PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stormont, B s.n. Oahu BISH 7/28/1986
28 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton west maui, wailuku district, kahului, w of kuihelani hwy. betw mile markers 3-5 wet Metrosideros, Cibotium kipuka PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. hansen, g. collector number: h80405 Hawaii BISH 8/19/2004
29 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Honolulu; Manoa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Swezey, O.H. s.n. Oahu BISH 6/1/1934
30 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton hawaiian islands; lehua On wet rocks PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wood, k.r. collector number: 11345 Oahu BISH 5/14/2005
31 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton honolulu; manoa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN swezey, o.h. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 6/1/1934
32 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton W Maui, Wailuku District,Kahului Disturbed lowlands. Abandoned sugar cane field. Associated vegetation: kiawe, `Ilima, Pluchea odorata, `uhaloa. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. 010701-1 Maui BISH 7/1/2001
33 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Niu Valley, between 280 Halemaumau St. and Niu Valley Intermediate School PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Boynton, J. 1 Oahu BISH 11/1/2003
34 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton east maui, kihei, above (mauka) kihei high tech center, mauka side of gate In recently disturbed area to make culvert. Associated vegetation: Cenchrus ciliaris, Prosopis pallida, unknown Asteraceae. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN starr, f. martz, k. collector number: 010503-2 Maui BISH 3/3/2001
35 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton niu valley, between 280 halemaumau st. and niu valley intermediate school PRESERVED_SPECIMEN boynton, j. collector number: 1 Oahu BISH 11/1/2003
36 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton niu valley, between 280 halemaumau st. and niu valley intermediate school moist woods, on mossy tree trunk PRESERVED_SPECIMEN boynton, j. collector number: 1 Molokai BISH 11/1/2003
37 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Kekaha, off of Kekaha road, also excessible from side road off of Kala Road. Many naturalized in empty lot next to the old sugar mill Naturalized in empty lot - throughout Kekaha. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1397 Kauai BISH 6/6/2007
38 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton honolulu: manoa valley; o.h. swezey's yard banks above flowing stream PRESERVED_SPECIMEN swezey, o.h. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 8/25/1930
39 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton W Maui, Wailuku District,Kahului Disturbed lowlands. Abandoned sugar cane field. Associated vegetation: kiawe, `Ilima, Pluchea odorata, `uhaloa. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. Martz, K. Collector Number: 010701-1 Maui BISH 7/1/2001
40 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton n of makaiwa Sparingly naturalized in sandy soil. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. perlman, s.; tangalin, n. collector number: h10705 Lanai BISH 1/4/2007
41 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton N of Makaiwa Sparingly naturalized in sandy soil. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. Perlman, S.; Tangalin, N. Collector Number: H10705 Lanai BISH 1/4/2007
42 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton West Maui, Wailuku District, Kahului, W of Kuihelani Hwy. betw mile markers 3-5 In sandy soil. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H80405 Maui BISH 8/19/2004
43 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton SE side 110 deg grassland, herbland; Cenchrus ciliaris, Setaria verticillata, Portulaca oleracea, Jacquemontia ovalifolia, Pluchea indica, Pluchea carolinensis, Ageratum conyzoides, Chenopodium murale, Waltheria indica, Cenchrus echinatus, Cloris virgata PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wood, K.R. 11533 Lehua Rock BISH 10/5/2005
44 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Kona Acres Subdivision, N Kona District Naturalized. Growing in vacant lot. Associates: Buddleja asiatica, Dodonaea viscosa, Leucaena leucocephala, Pennisetum setaceum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Parker, J. BIED 097 Hawaii BISH 8/12/2009
45 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton koloa, poipu, ntbg, visitor's center PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. vernon, a. collector number: 7325 Oahu BISH 7/25/2007
46 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton kekaha, off of kekaha road, also excessible from side road off of kala road. many naturalized in empty lot next to the old sugar mill PRESERVED_SPECIMEN tangalin, n. collector number: 1397 Oahu BISH 6/6/2007
47 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Puu Moiwi, along K-1. Side of road. Scattered in area. Naturalized. Open hardpan with scattered plants, especially grasses (Heteropogon contortus, Cenchrus ciliaris). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. 101228-01 Kahoolawe BISH 12/28/2010
48 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton Southwest of Kahului. Growing in sandy soil in kiawe savannah. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hobdy, R.W. 4193 Maui BISH 6/17/2004
49 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton se side 110 deg grassland, herbland; Cenchrus ciliaris, Setaria verticillata, Portulaca oleracea, Jacquemontia ovalifolia, Pluchea indica, Pluchea carolinensis, Ageratum conyzoides, Chenopodium murale, Waltheria indica, Cenchrus echinatus, Cloris virgata PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wood, k.r. collector number: 11533 Lehua Rock BISH 10/5/2005
50 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton honolulu. planted in catto swezey's garden wet forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 7146 Oahu BISH 3/3/1931
51 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton waipio peninsula, 1/4 miles north of walker's bay PRESERVED_SPECIMEN stormont, b. collector number: s.n. Hawaii BISH 7/28/1986
52 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton West Maui, Wailuku District, Kahului, W of Kuihelani Hwy. betw mile markers 3-5 In sandy soil. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. Hansen, G. Collector Number: H80405 Maui BISH 8/19/2004
53 Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton East Maui, Kihei, above (mauka) Kihei High tech Center, mauka side of gate In recently disturbed area to make culvert. Associated vegetation: Cenchrus ciliaris, Prosopis pallida, unknown Asteraceae. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. Martz, K. Collector Number: 010503-2 Maui BISH 3/3/2001
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