Roostertree
Calotropis procera
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Calotropis
- Species:
- Calotropis procera
- USDA Symbol:
- CAPR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- white, purple, pink
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus), Soldier (Danaus eresimus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions without pre-treatment. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI