Plantae ⚘
Calotropis
Overview
Calotropis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, which is common in Pakistan first described as a genus in 1810. They are commonly known as milkweeds because of the latex they produce. Calotropis species are considered common weeds in some parts of the world. Calotropis species are usually found in rural areas.
Botanical
Calotropis gigantea and C. Procera are the two most common species in the genus. Both plants can attain an average height of 8 to 10 ft (2.4 to 3.0 m) although they can occasionally become as tall as 14 to 16 ft (4.3 to 4.9 m). The leaves are sessile and sub-sessile, opposite, ovate, cordate at the base. The flowers are about 1.5 to 2 in (3.8 to 5.1 cm) in size, with umbellate lateral cymes and are colored white to pink and are fragrant in case of C. Procera while the flowers of C. Gigantea are without any fragrance and are white to purple colored, but in rarer cases are also light green-yellow or white. The seeds are compressed, broadly ovoid, with a tufted micropylar coma of long silky hair.
Pollination is performed by bees (entomophily) by the following mechanism:
The stigmas and androecia are fused to form a gynostegium. The pollen are enclosed in pollinia (a coherent mass of pollen grains). The pollinia are attached to an adhesive glandular disc at the stigmatic angle. When a bee lands on one of these, the disc adheres to its legs, and the pollinium is detached from the flower when the bee flies away. When the bee visits another flower, the flower is pollinated by the adhering pollinium on the bee.
Toxicity
The milky exudation from the plant is a corrosive poison Calotropis species are poisonous plants; calotropin, a compound in the latex, is more toxic than strychnine. Calotropin is similar in structure to two cardiac glycosides which are responsible for the cytotoxicity of Apocynum cannabinum. Extracts from the flowers of Calotropis procera have shown strong cytotoxic activity. The extracts are also harmful to the eyes.
Cattle often stay away from the plants because of their unpleasant taste and their content of cardiac glycosides.
INTERACTIONS
Digoxin (Lanoxin)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Digoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Calotropis also seems to affect the heart. Taking calotropis along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take calotropis if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional.
LithiumInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Calotropis might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking calotropis might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Stimulant laxativesInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Calotropis can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives called stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the chance of side effects from calotropis.
Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Calotropis might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from calotropis.
Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
Benefits
Calotropis produce durable fiber which is used to making products such as fishing nets, rope, sweing thread and rope. Also remove hair from goat and sheep skin by the combination fermented milkweed and salt
Warning
Calotropis plant is unsafe. It contain chemical that can slow your heart function. It can cause side effect such as vomiting, convulsion, diarrhea, slow heartbeat, and death.