Description
It is a perennial shrub growing 2.5 meter high with various branches and sub branches.
Calotropis gigantea is a species of Calotropis native to Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, China, Pakistan, Nepal, and tropical Africa. It is a large shrub growing to 4 m tall.Arka is a perennial shrub growing 2.5 meter high with various branches and sub branches.
Leaves are simple, opposite, subsessile, ovate and cordate at base. It has bunch of waxy flowers that are white or lavender in color. Flowers consists of pointed five petals and a small beautiful crown, which holds the stamen. It has milky stem and contains cardiac glycosides, fatty acid and calcium oxalate.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Crown Flower, Aak, Madar, and Arka. |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 8 to 15 feet |
| Flower Colour | White or Lavender |
| Bloom Time | November- April. |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Calotropis gigantea care
It can easily be propagated by seeds during March-April. Directly sow the seeds in filed in the sunny location and use well drained and fertile soil. Water the seeds regularly. Seeds will germinate in 5-6 weeks. You can mulch the seedling with organic mulch for reducing water loss and better growth of the plant by reducing weed growth. Fertilize the plant with any organic fertilizer during spring.
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderately. |
| Soil | Well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 19-37 degrees C |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Calotropis gigantea special feature
Where winter hardy, grow as a hedge or train as a small tree. Where not winter hardy, grow in containers which must be overwintered indoo
Calotropis gigantea uses
Ornamental Use:
- Its generally kept indoors in the living room and in terrace area
- The flowers are long lasting, and in Thailand, they are used in floral arrangements
- Where winter hardy, grow as a hedge or train as a small tree
Medicinal Use:
- The whole plant of Calotropis, leaves, barks as well as its latex have been employed in the treatment and management of many health conditions such as jaundice, joint pains, fever, asthma, snake bite, malaria, and dysmenorrhoea
- Latex is soaked in cotton for application into the dental cavity to treat toothache, gum bleeding and for dressing fresh skin burns