Calotropis
A wild and weedy flowering plant with milky sap and fragrant blooms
Calotropis is a genus of flowering plants native to southern Asia and North Africa, often found on abandoned farmland. Its white, pink, or purple flowers are used in floral tassels and Hindu offerings, while the plant's milky sap is toxic and its fibers are called mudar.
- Calotropis is native to southern Asia and North Africa.
- Its milky sap is toxic and can cause irritation.
- Flowers are used in Hindu offerings and floral tassels.
- Main species include Calotropis gigantea and Calotropis procera.
- Fibers from the plant are called mudar or mader.
What does Calotropis look like?
Calotropis plants are upright, shrubby or small tree-like, reaching 2.4 to nearly 5 meters tall. The leaves are broad, thick, and arranged in pairs. Flowers are about 4 to 5 cm across, grouped in clusters, and range from white and pink to purple, sometimes greenish-yellow. Calotropis gigantea flowers are white to purple and usually unscented, while Calotropis procera has fragrant white to pink blooms. The plant produces a milky latex sap that is sticky and bitter.
Where does Calotropis come from?
First described as a genus in 1810, Calotropis is native to southern Asia and North Africa. It grows wild on abandoned farmland and disturbed soils. The two most common species, Calotropis gigantea and Calotropis procera, are found across India, China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The genus spread widely as a weed and is now common in many warm regions. Its fibers, called mudar or mader, have been used locally.
When and how Calotropis blooms
Calotropis blooms on mature plants, which can reach up to 16 feet. Flowers are produced in clusters at the ends of branches. Pollination is carried out by bees, which pick up pollen sacs that stick to their legs and transfer them to other flowers. The plant thrives in dry, open areas and is often found in neglected fields. Seeds are dispersed by wind, aided by silky hairs.
How Calotropis is used
Calotropis flowers are used in Hindu worship, offered to deities such as Shiva, Ganesha, Shani Dev, and Hanuman. In some Southeast Asian cultures, the blooms are made into floral tassels. The plant's milky sap and other parts have been used in traditional medicine for skin conditions, wound healing, and pain relief, though all parts are toxic. Its fibers have been used for rope and stuffing.
Kinds of Calotropis
The main species are Calotropis gigantea, with white to purple flowers, and Calotropis procera, with fragrant white to pink flowers. Calotropis acia is found in India. There are also former species now placed elsewhere, such as Calotropis sussuela, now Hoya imperialis. Flower color and fragrance can vary between species and even within populations.
What Calotropis means
Calotropis holds significance in Hindu rituals, where its flowers are offered to several gods. Its presence as a weed in fields is widespread, but it is also valued for its traditional medicinal uses. The plant's toxicity is well known, and animals avoid it. Its fibers have been used locally for practical purposes. In some areas, it is considered a symbol of resilience in harsh conditions.
Questions people ask about Calotropis
Where does Calotropis come from?
Calotropis is native to southern Asia and North Africa, and is now common in India, China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
What does Calotropis look like?
It is a shrubby or small tree-like plant with broad leaves and clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers. Some species have fragrant blooms.
Is Calotropis poisonous?
Yes, the milky sap of Calotropis is toxic and can cause skin or eye irritation. It contains compounds more toxic than strychnine.
How is Calotropis used in culture?
The flowers are offered to Hindu deities such as Shiva and Ganesha, and are also made into floral tassels in some Southeast Asian cultures.
Does Calotropis have medicinal uses?
Calotropis has been used in traditional medicine for skin conditions, wound healing, and pain relief, but all parts of the plant are toxic.
Good reading and sources
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Calotropis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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