View source for Biology:Calotropis gigantea

{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
 |image = Calotropis gigantea.jpg
 |genus = Calotropis
 |species = gigantea
 |authority = (L.) Dryand.
 |synonyms =
*''Asclepias gigantea'' <small>L.</small>
*''Calotropis gigantea'' <small>(L.) R. Br. ex Schult.</small>
*''Madorius giganteus'' <small>(L.) Kuntze</small>
*''Periploca cochinchinensis'' <small>Lour.</small>
*''Streptocaulon cochinchinense'' <small>(Lour.) G. Don</small>
 |synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2693661
|title=The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species
|access-date=11 July 2014
|archive-date=12 November 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112232443/http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2693661
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
}}
{{multiple image
|align=right
| direction = vertical
| width = 190
| image1 = Calotropis gigantea seed in Kudayathoor.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Follicle
| image2 = CalotropisGigantea.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Seeds set to disperse
}}
[[File:Calotropis gigantea plant.ogv|thumb|''Calotropis gigantea'' plant in southern part of India near Bangalore]]
[[File:Calotropis gigantea in Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal.jpg|thumb|alt=Calotropis gigantea flower in Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal|Calotropis gigantea flower in Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal]]

'''''Calotropis gigantea''''', the '''crown flower''', is a species of ''[[Biology:Calotropis|Calotropis]]'' [[Biology:Indigenous (ecology)|native]] to Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, {{wipe|India}}, {{wipe|China}}, {{wipe|Pakistan}}, and Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Calotropis gigantea'' (L.) W.T.Aiton {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:95173-1 |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=Plants of the World Online |language=en}}</ref>

It is a large [[Biology:Shrub|shrub]] growing to {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall. It has clusters of waxy flowers that are either white or lavender in colour. Each flower consists of five pointed [[Biology:Petal|petal]]s and a small "crown" rising from the center which holds the [[Biology:Stamen|stamen]]s. The [[Biology:Aestivation (botany)|aestivation]] found in calotropis is valvate i.e. sepals or petals in a whorl just touch one another at the margin, without overlapping.  The plant has oval, light green leaves and milky [[Biology:Plant stem|stem]]. The latex of ''Calotropis gigantea'' contains [[Biology:Cardiac glycoside|cardiac glycoside]]s, [[Chemistry:Fatty acid|fatty acid]]s, and [[Chemistry:Calcium oxalate|calcium oxalate]]. The roots also contain Calotropone.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Zhu-Nian |last2=Wang |first2=Mao-Yuan |last3=Mei |first3=Wen-Li |last4=Han |first4=Zhuang |last5=Dai |first5=Hao-Fu |title=A New Cytotoxic Pregnanone from Calotropis gigantea |journal=Molecules |date=4 December 2008 |volume=13 |issue=12 |pages=3033–3039 |doi=10.3390/molecules13123033 |pmid=19052526 |pmc=6244834 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Pollination==

This plant plays host to a variety of insects and butterflies.  It is the host plant for Hawaii's non-migratory [[Biology:Monarch butterfly|monarch butterflies]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://butterflysocietyofhawaii.org/hawaiis-butterflies/ |title=Butterfly Society of Hawaii |access-date=2016-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023212133/http://butterflysocietyofhawaii.org/hawaiis-butterflies/ |archive-date=2016-10-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  ''Calotropis'' is an example of [[Biology:Entomophily|entomophily]] pollination ([[Biology:Pollination|pollination]] by insects) and pollination is achieved with the help of bees. In ''Calotropis'', gynostegium is present (formed by the fusion of [[Biology:Stigma (botany)|stigma]] and androecium). The [[Biology:Pollen|pollen]] are in a structure named [[Biology:Pollinium|pollinia]] which is attached to a glandular, adhesive disc at the stigmatic angle (translator mechanism). These sticky discs get attached to the legs of visiting bees that pull out pollinia when a bee moves away. When such a bee visits another flower, this flower might be pollinated by the pollinium.{{fact|date=June 2021}}

[[File:Ankhada Plant with full bloom.jpg|thumb|right|Calotropis gigantea (Ankhade) plant with full bloom at Haridwar]]

==Description==
*Stem : Erect, branched, cylindrical, solid, contains milky latex.
*Leaves : {{convert|4-8|in|mm|order=flip|abbr=on}} long, decussate, obovate or elliptic-oblong, shortly acute, subsessile, cordate or often amplexicaul at the base.
*Inflorescence : Umbellate cymes.
*Flowers :
Large, white, not scented, peduncles arising between the petioles.
Flower-buds ovoid, angled, Calyx lobes 5, divided to the base, white, ovate; corolla broadly rotate, valvate, lobes 5, deltoid ovate, reflexed, coronate-appendages broad, obtusely 2-auricled below the rounded apex which is lower than the staminal-column.
Stamens 5, anthers short with membranous appendages, inflexed over the depressed apex of the pentagonal stigma.
Pollinium one in each cell, pendulous caudicles slender.
Carpels 2 distinct, styles 2, united to the single pentangular stigma, ovary 2-celled, ovules many.
*Fruit : A pair of follicles with many, hairy seeds.
*Flowering and Fruiting Time : November-April

==Uses==
The flowers are long lasting, and in Thailand they are used in floral arrangements. The extract of flowers and leaves has shown hypoglycemic effect in preclinical studies.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rathod |first1=Nanu R. |last2=Chitme |first2=Havagiray R. |last3=Irchhaiya |first3=Raghuveer |last4=Chandra |first4=Ramesh |title=Hypoglycemic Effect of Calotropis Gigantea Linn. Leaves and Flowers in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats |journal=Oman Medical Journal |date=25 March 2011 |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=104–108 |doi=10.5001/omj.2011.26 |pmid=22043394 |pmc=3191672 }}</ref> They were favored by the Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani, who considered them a symbol of royalty and wore them strung into leis. In Cambodia, they are used in funerals to decorate the urn or sarcophagus and the interior of the house holding the funeral. The [[Biology:Fruit|fruit]] is a [[Biology:Follicle (fruit)|follicle]] and when dry, [[Earth:Seed dispersal|seed dispersal]] is by [[Earth:Wind|wind]]. In Indonesia its flowers are called ''widuri''. 
According to the Shiva Purana, the madar flower/crown flower is very much liked by Lord Shiva; therefore the crown flower and its garland are offered to Lord Shiva for peace, prosperity and stability in society.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/weekend/mahashivaratri-favorite-plants-of-lord-shiva/798182|title=Mahashivaratri: Favorite Plants of Lord Shiva}}</ref> The Crown flower is also one of the major parts of the nine astrological trees (''Navagrah'' tree).

''Calotropis'' yields a durable fiber (commercially known as bowstring of India) useful for ropes, carpets, fishing nets, and sewing thread. Floss, obtained from seeds, is used as stuffing. Crown flower cotton can also be used to make a pillow. A fermented mixture of ''Calotropis'' and salt is used to remove the hair from goat skins for production of ''nari'' leather and from sheep skins to make leather which is much used for inexpensive book binding.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Umrao |last2=Wadhwani |first2=A. M |last3=Johri |first3=B. M |title=Dictionary of economic plants in India |date=1996 |publisher=Indian Council of Agricultural Research |oclc=742623224 }}{{pn|date=June 2021}}</ref> Fungicidal which is far effective than oinmentand insecticidal properties of ''Calotropis'' have been reported.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ganapathy |first1=T. |first2=P. |last2=Narayanasamy |chapter=Screening plant products effective against tikka and rust disease of groundnut |title=Crop Disease, Innovative Techniques and Management |editor1-last=Sivaprakasam |editor1-first=K. |editor2-last=Seetharaman |editor2-first=K. |publisher=Kalyani |location=New Delhi |year=1993 |pages=347–355 }}</ref>

In {{wipe|India}}, the plant is common in the compounds of temples and is known as ''madar'' in {{lang-hi|मदार}}. Its leaf ({{lang-mr|rui}}) is one of the five leaves used in the Panch Pallava, a ritual assortment of five different leaves used as a totem by the Maratha culture in India.<ref>[http://www.astro.caltech.edu/~vam/abadtrees.html Indian Trees]</ref>

===Allelopathic effects===
[[Biology:Allelopathy|Allelopathic effects]] of ''Calotropis'' on different agricultural crops have been well studied.<ref>{{cite conference |last1=Oudhia |first1=P. |date=August 2002 |title=Allelopathic potential of useful weed Calotropis gigantea R.Br: A review |conference=Third World Congress on Allelopathy: Challenges for the New Millennium, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences (NIAES) |location=Tsukuba, Japan |page=179 }}</ref> Extracts of plant parts such as root, stem, and leaf affect germination and seedling vigor of many agricultural crops.<ref name="Oudhia & Tripathi 1997">{{cite conference |last1=Oudhia |first1=P. |last2=Tripathi |first2=R.S. |date=October 1997 |title=Allelopathic effects of Parthenium hysterophorus L. on kodo, Mustard and problematic weeds |conference=Proceedings of the First International Conference on Parthenium Management |location=Dharwad |pages=136–139 }}</ref><ref>Oudhia and Tripathi 1999{{full citation needed|date=January 2015}}</ref><ref>Oudhia et al. 1997, 1998a, b{{full citation needed|date=January 2015}}</ref> However, extracts of ''Calotropis'' failed to produce any detrimental effects on weeds such as ''[[Biology:Chenopodium album|Chenopodium album]]'', ''Melilotus alba'', ''Melilotus indica'', ''[[Biology:Sphaeranthus indicus|Sphaeranthus indicus]]'', and ''[[Biology:Phalaris minor|Phalaris minor]]''.<ref name="Oudhia & Tripathi 1997"/>

===Use as an arrow poison===
Many plant and animal extracts have been used as [[Chemistry:Arrow poison|arrow poison]]s all over the world. In many cases, the poison was applied to the arrow or spear to aid the hunting of prey. [[Chemistry:Alkaloid|Alkaloid]]s are among the most powerful plant poisons, and extracts of ''[[Biology:Strychnos|Strychnos]]'' species are commonly used. Other arrow poisons are commonly [[Biology:Cardiac glycoside|cardiac glycoside]]s, which can be found in [[Biology:Digitalis|digitalis]], but most of these arrow poisons are derived from plants in the family [[Biology:Apocynaceae|Apocynaceae]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Philippe |first1=Geneviève |last2=Angenot |first2=Luc |title=Recent developments in the field of arrow and dart poisons |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |date=August 2005 |volume=100 |issue=1–2 |pages=85–91 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2005.05.022 |pmid=15993556 |hdl=2268/16897 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> This family includes ''Calotropis gigantea'' and the more potent ''[[Biology:Calotropis procera|Calotropis procera]]''. The [[Chemistry:Latex|latex]] of these plants has been used in Africa as an arrow poison. ''Apocynaceae'' species often contain a mixture of cardiac glycosides, including calactin, uscharin, calotoxin, and calotropin.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Medicinal plants: chemistry and properties|last=Daniel|first=Mammen|date=2006|publisher=Science Publishers|isbn=1578083958|location=Enfield, NH|oclc=61456768|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/medicinalplantsc0000dani}}</ref> These poisons work by inhibiting the sodium-potassium pump, and this effect is especially potent in the [[Biology:Cardiac muscle|cardiac tissues]].<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last1=Agrawal |first1=Anurag A. |last2=Petschenka |first2=Georg |last3=Bingham |first3=Robin A. |last4=Weber |first4=Marjorie G. |last5=Rasmann |first5=Sergio |title=Toxic cardenolides: chemical ecology and coevolution of specialized plant–herbivore interactions |journal=New Phytologist |date=April 2012 |volume=194 |issue=1 |pages=28–45 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.04049.x |pmid=22292897 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The cardiac effects can be applied for heart medication, and digitalis has been used as such. However, excessive doses can cause [[Medicine:Heart arrhythmia|arrhythmia]], which can lead to death.<ref name=":6">{{cite journal |last1=Hoyer |first1=Kirsten |last2=Song |first2=Yejia |last3=Wang |first3=Desuo |last4=Phan |first4=Dillon |last5=Balschi |first5=James |last6=Ingwall |first6=Joanne S. |last7=Belardinelli |first7=Luiz |last8=Shryock |first8=John C. |title=Reducing the Late Sodium Current Improves Cardiac Function during Sodium Pump Inhibition by Ouabain |journal=Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics |date=May 2011 |volume=337 |issue=2 |pages=513–523 |doi=10.1124/jpet.110.176776 |pmid=21325441 |s2cid=16793407 }}</ref>

===Medical uses===
Given the potent [[Biology:Biological activity|bioactivity]] of calotropin, ''calotropis gigantea'' has been used as a folk medicine in India for many years, and has been reported to have a variety of uses. In [[Philosophy:Ayurveda|Ayurveda]], Indian practitioners have used the root and leaf of ''C. procera'' in [[Medicine:Asthma|asthma]] and also used in bacterial infection, swelling with redness, boils also and shortness of breath and the bark in [[Biology:Liver|liver]] and [[Biology:Spleen|spleen]] diseases. The plant is reported as effective in treating [[Biology:Skin|skin]], [[Biology:Gastrointestinal tract|digestive]], respiratory, [[Biology:Circulatory system|circulatory]] and [[Biology:Neurology|neurological]] disorders and was used to treat [[Medicine:Fever|fever]]s, elephantiasis, nausea, [[Medicine:Vomiting|vomiting]], and [[Medicine:Diarrhea|diarrhea]]. The milky juice of ''Calotropis procera'' was used against [[Medicine:Arthritis|arthritis]], [[Medicine:Cancer|cancer]], and as an [[Chemistry:Antidote|antidote]] for snake bite.<ref name=":5">{{cite journal |last1=Upadhyay |first1=RaviKant |title=Ethnomedicinal, pharmaceutical and pesticidal uses of Calotropis procera (Aiton) (Family: Asclepiadaceae) |journal=International Journal of Green Pharmacy |date=2014 |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=135–146 |id={{Gale|A381468570}} {{ProQuest|1560657761}} |doi=10.4103/0973-8258.140165 |doi-access=free }}</ref> However, these reports are of folk uses and more research is needed to confirm the clinical usefulness of the leaves, latex, and bark. Recent studies have displayed use of calotropin as a contraceptive<ref name=":8">{{cite journal |last1=Sarma |first1=Kishore |last2=Roychoudhury |first2=Shubhadeep |last3=Bora |first3=Sudipta |last4=Dehury |first4=Budheswar |last5=Parida |first5=Pratap |last6=Das |first6=Saurav |last7=Das |first7=Robin |last8=Dohutia |first8=Chandrajit |last9=Nath |first9=Sangeeta |last10=Deb |first10=Bibhas |last11=Modi |first11=Mahendra |title=Molecular Modeling and Dynamics Simulation Analysis of KATNAL1 for Identification of Novel Inhibitor of Sperm Maturation |journal=Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening |date=23 March 2017 |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=82–92 |doi=10.2174/1386207320666170116120104 |pmid=28093975 }}</ref> and as a potential cancer medication.<ref name=":7">{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Shih-Chung |last2=Lu |first2=Mei-Chin |last3=Chen |first3=Hsiu-Lin |last4=Tseng |first4=Hsing-I |last5=Ke |first5=Yu-Yuan |last6=Wu |first6=Yang-Chang |last7=Yang |first7=Pei-Yu |title=Cytotoxicity of calotropin is through caspase activation and downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins in K562 cells |journal=Cell Biology International |date=December 2009 |volume=33 |issue=12 |pages=1230–1236 |doi=10.1016/j.cellbi.2009.08.013 |pmid=19732845 |s2cid=29139887 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In one study of the cancer-fighting properties of Calotropis gigantea, [[Chemistry:Dichloromethane|DCM]] extracts were demonstrated to be strongly cytotoxic against non-small cell lung carcinoma ([[Biology:A549 cell|A549]]), [[Medicine:Colorectal cancer|colon carcinoma]] ([[Biology:HCT116 cells|HCT 116]]), and [[Medicine:Hepatocellular carcinoma|hepatocellular carcinoma]] in hamsters ([[Biology:Hep G2|Hep G2]]). These extracts show potential as cancer medications and warrant further clinical research.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jacinto |first1=Sonia D. |last2=Chun |first2=Eunice Alexis C. |last3=Montuno |first3=Anthony Sebastian |last4=Shen |first4=Chien-Chang |last5=Espineli |first5=Dinah L. |last6=Ragasa |first6=Consolacion Y. |title=Cytotoxic Cardenolide and Sterols from Calotropis Gigantea |journal=Natural Product Communications |date=June 2011 |volume=6 |issue=6 |pages=803–806 |doi=10.1177/1934578X1100600614 |pmid=21815415 |s2cid=40801911 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Poisoning==
Calotropis is a poisonous plant. The active principles are uscharin, calotoxin, calactin, and calotropin.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} The leaves and stem when incised yield thick milky juice.  It is used as an arrow poison, cattle poison ''(see also Sutari)'', rarely for suicide and homicide and mostly an accidental poison.

The milky latex sap of ''Calotropis gigantea'' is a known cause of toxic [[Medicine:Keratoconjunctivitis|keratoconjunctivitis]] and reversible vision loss.  Crown flower keratitis is a rare condition and is usually the result of accidental ocular exposure to the sap.  During the process of making a Hawaiian lei flower necklace, touching the sap and then touching the ocular surface may result in crown flower keratitis.  Damage (poisoning) of the cornea endothelium results in corneal stromal edema and decreased visual acuity.  Although there is some permanent damage to the corneal endothelium with decreased endothelial cell count and irregular shape, the remaining corneal endothelial cells usually recover with complete resolution of the corneal edema and a return to normal visual acuity.  The condition is usually self-limited and resolves faster with topical steroids. The clinical course of this condition suggests that ''Calotropis'' is paradoxically relatively nontoxic to corneal epithelium and highly toxic to corneal endothelium. The painless clinical course may be related to anesthetic properties of ''Calotropis'' latex and relatively minor epithelial injury.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wong |first1=WW |title=Keratoconjunctivitis due to crown-flower |journal=Hawaii Medical Journal |date=May 1949 |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=339–341 |pmid=18145074 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Crawford |first1=HE |title=Crown flower keratoconjunctivitis |journal=Hawaii Medical Journal |date=January 1958 |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=244–245 |pmid=13501713 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Al-Mezaine |first1=Hani S. |last2=Al-Rajhi |first2=Ali A. |last3=Al-Assiri |first3=Abdullah |last4=Wagoner |first4=Michael D. |title=Calotropis procera (ushaar) keratitis |journal=American Journal of Ophthalmology |date=January 2005 |volume=139 |issue=1 |pages=199–202 |doi=10.1016/j.ajo.2004.07.062 |pmid=15652855 }}</ref>

===Signs and symptoms===
Applied to the skin, it causes redness and vesication.  When taken orally, the juice produces an acrid, bitter taste and burning pain in throat and stomach, salivation, stomatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, tetanic convulsions, collapse and death. The fatal period is 6 to 12 hours.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} Treatment includes stomach wash, demulcents, and symptomatic treatment.{{medcn|date=January 2015}}

==Mosquito controlling properties==
''C. gigantea'' is reported to exhibit mosquito controlling properties against ''[[Biology:Culex gelidus|Culex gelidus]]'' and ''[[Biology:Culex tritaeniorhynchus|Culex tritaeniorhynchus]]'' mosquitoes which serve as vectors for [[Medicine:Japanese encephalitis|Japanese encephalitis]]. The aqueous extract of the ''C. gigantea'' leaves demonstrated significant larvicidal, repellent and ovicidal activity.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kumar |first1=G |last2=Karthik |first2=L |last3=Rao |first3=KVB |last4=Karti |first4=AV |last5=Rahuman |first5=AA |title=Larvicidal, Repellent and Ovicidal activity of Calotropis gigentia against Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex gelidus |journal=Journal of Agricultural Technology |year=2012 |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=869–880 |url=http://www.ijat-aatsea.com/pdf/v8_n3_12_may/8_IJAT_2012_Kumar,_G-_Final_Proof-Entomology.pdf }}</ref>

==Literary references==

In the Paushya chapter of the Adi Parva portion of the Indian epic [[Religion:Mahabharata|Mahabharata]], a disciple of the rishi Ayoda-Daumya named Upamanya goes blind by eating the leaves of the plant which in [[Social:Sanskrit|Sanskrit]] is called ''arka''.

However, in India, among the general public, it is the belief that ''akada'' (''arka'') is a poisonous plant and can make people intoxicated. Lord Shiva is offered ''akada'' along with ''dhatura'' (botanically: [[Biology:Datura metel|Datura metel]]) (extremely toxic) flowers on auspicious days.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

"श्वेतार्क का पेड" is the name of the tree and flowers are called as "अकौआ" ओर "श्वेतार्क के फूल" in Hindi. In Marathi the local name is Ruhi (pronounced ruheé).

In Hindu mythology, it is considered the favourite flower of Lord Shiva and hence its flowers are commonly offered to the deity. It is a belief that the flower makes the deity happy, subsequent to which he showers his blessings upon the worshippers.


==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.hear.org/pier/species/calotropis_gigantea.htm PIER - ''Calotropis gigantea'']
*[http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Crown%20Flower.html Flowers of India - Crown flower]
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/calotropis.html Purdue University: Center for New Crops & Plant Products - Crown flower]
*{{cite thesis |last1=Addry |first1=Limiaa Suliman Elnoor Abu |title=Determination of Cu, Zn, Co, and Pb in A Sudanese Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (Calotropis procera Ait) |year=2005 |url=http://khartoumspace.uofk.edu/bitstream/handle/123456789/11563/Determination%20of%20Cu,%20Zn,%20Co,%20and%20Pb%20in%20A.pdf |access-date=2021-06-20 |archive-date=2023-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327192234/http://khartoumspace.uofk.edu/bitstream/handle/123456789/11563/Determination%20of%20Cu,%20Zn,%20Co,%20and%20Pb%20in%20A.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q525166}}

[[Category:Asclepiadoideae]]
[[Category:Butterfly food plants]]

{{Sourceattribution|Calotropis gigantea}}