Scarlet Milkweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ipecacuanha
• Ipecacuanha Hippety- iguana
• Ipecacuanha Hippetyiguana
• Tropical Milkweed
• Madagascar cottonbush
• West Indian ipecacuana
• bastard ipecacuana
• bastard-ipecac
• bloodflower milkweed
• cottonbush
• false ipecac
• milky cottonbush
• red-cotton
• redhead
• redhead cottonbush
• scarlet milkweed
• swallowwort
• wallflower cottonbush
• wild ipecac
• wild oleander

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Asclepias nivea var. curassavica
• Asclepias cubensis
• Asclepias curassavica var. concolor
• Asclepias curassavica f. flaviflora
• Asclepias curassavica f. pallidiflora
• Asclepias margaritacea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Asclepias.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several different regions. In Middle Europe, its presence can be noted within the borders of Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it is found in Southwestern Europe, specifically in Spain. Its distribution continues through Southeastern Europe, where it grows in Greece and on the island of Kriti. Finally, the species extends its reach into Northern Africa, specifically within Morocco.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Asclepias curassavica is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. It can be found across a wide elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2700 m AMSL. This species demonstrates high ecological plasticity, inhabiting a vast array of ecosystems including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), the semi-arid Caatinga (strictu sensu), and open grasslands known as Campo Limpo. Furthermore, it thrives within the Cerrado (lato sensu) and various forest formations, such as riparian or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme), and seasonal forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual). Its presence also extends to humid environments, including ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial and Floresta Ombrófila M), allowing it to occupy multiple distinct biomes.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila M

Genetics

The genetics of Asclepias curassavica are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cellular architecture. This species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 22, indicating a stable genomic structure typical of many members of the Apocynaceae family. The ploidy level is 2, confirming that the organism is diploid, meaning it carries two complete sets of chromosomes within its somatic cells. This fundamental genetic framework provides the basis for the inheritance patterns and reproductive stability observed in the species.

Chromosome number :

22

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Asclepias curassavica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its ecological architecture, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the majority of the photosynthetic organs are situated close to the soil surface, often protected by the substrate or low-lying growth patterns. This chamaephyte classification applies to both its structural categorization and its functional growth habit, defining how it survives environmental fluctuations and maintains its presence within its natural habitat over time.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Asclepias curassavica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This terrestrial plant, which is neither an epiphyte nor a parasite, grows independently in its habitat. It exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches an average height of 1.4 m, though individual specimens can range in size from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum height of approximately 1.52 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.524018532 m

Plant height mean:

1.4 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Asclepias curassavica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology, lacking specialized water-storage tissues, and does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Its vegetative structure is defined by an opposite leaf arrangement, featuring elliptic-shaped leaves that vary significantly in dimensions. These leaves typically maintain a mean length of 10 cm, with a minimum length of 4.5 cm and a maximum potential length reaching 16 cm. In terms of breadth, the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 16 cm, reflecting a diverse range of leaf proportions within its physiological development.

Leaf arrangement :

opposite

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf width max:

16 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Asclepia curassavica is characterized by a seasonal flowering cycle that typically begins in April and extends through November, though the timing can be variable. The plant produces orange flowers that range in length from a minimum of 0.55 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. These flowers utilize a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects, with bees serving as a primary pollinator. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive success is heavily supported by these insect interactions. Following successful pollination, the plant develops brown fruits classified as follicles. These fruits vary in size, with a minimum length of 5 cm and a mean length of 8 cm (reaching up to 10 cm), and a width ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a mean of 1.25 cm (reaching up to 1.5 cm). The dispersal of the seeds from these follicles follows an anemochorous syndrome, meaning they are dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

orange

Flower length max:

2 cm

Flower length min:

0.55 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Nov

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

10 cm

Fruit length mean:

8 cm

Fruit length min:

5 cm

Fruit type :

follicle

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.25 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Asclepias curassavica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Asclepias curassavica has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4-seco-urs-20(30)-en-3-oic acid, Cardenolide, Cardenolides, Cardiac Glycosides, Conduritol F.

3,4-seco-urs-20(30)-en-3-oic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Cardenolide

1. Molecular ecology

Cardenolides

1. Journal of natural products

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Plant direct

Conduritol F

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Activities

Asclepias curassavica has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antioxidant

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research

Antiproliferative

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research

Conditions

Asclepias curassavica has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, colon cancer.

Cancer

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research
2. Current drug targets

Colon cancer

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Asclepias curassavica has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethyl Acetate Extract, ethyl acetate extract, hexane extract, methanol extract.

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research

Hexane extract

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research

Methanol extract

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research