Red-head cotton bush

Asclepias curassavica

family

Apocynaceae

origin

Exotic

declaration

Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)

Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)

Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)

Common names

Red-head cotton bush, Annual milkweed, Blood flower, Bloodflower, False ipecac, Milkweed, Red head cottonbush.

A long-lived herbaceous plant or small shrub growing up to 1.5 m tall. Its stems and leaves contain a milky white sap. Its paired leaves (5.5-15 cm long) are narrow with pointed tips. Its star-shaped flowers are red or orange with a yellow crown -like structure at the centre. Its paired fruit (5-6 cm long and 8-12 mm wide) contain numerous brown seeds topped with a tuft of long cottony hairs.

Leaf arrangement:Simple
Leaf form:Opposite
Yellow
Green
48BFB2B5-D573-4E91-B7A1-0B51D3FF42E9Discoloured

Impact

Impact

Red-head cotton bush (Asclepias curassavica) is regarded as an environmental weed in south-eastern Queensland, and was recently ranked among the 200 most invasive plants in the region. It is a common weed of open woodlands, grasslands, pastures, disturbed sites, waste areas and roadsides, but is mainly a concern in riparian areas and wetlands in this region.

Location

Location

Characteristics

Characteristics

Similar Species

Similar Species

Control Methods