African Milkweed
Gomphocarpus fruticosus
- Native to:
- Angola, Botswana, Caprivi Strip, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Gomphocarpus
- Species:
- Gomphocarpus fruticosus
- USDA Symbol:
- ASFR13
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Subshrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open, dry grasslands and rocky areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at 70-75°F without pretreatment. Fresh seed has higher viability.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI