Calotropis procera - Apple of Sodom

General Information Common Name  The Apple of Sodom The Milkweed Scientific Name  Calotropis procera Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  up to 6 m (up to 20 ft) Spread  up to 2 m (up to 6 ft) Growth Rate  Fast Bloom Time  Summer Color  Green, Flower Color  Violet Light Violet Type  Shrubs Native  Asia, Africa, Australia, America

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass  Asteridae Order  Gentianales Family  Asclepiadaceae -Milkweed Family Genus  Calotropis - Milkweed Species  C. procera

Calotropis procera – Apple of Sodom

Calotropis procera, also known as the Apple of Sodom. It is also called the common Milkweed plant. It is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the family Apocynaceae. It is commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Despite its notorious reputation as a poisonous plant, Calotropis procera has a long history of traditional use in medicine and as a source of fiber.

The plant typically grows as a small tree or shrub and can reach a height of up to 5 meters. Its leaves are large, thick, and waxy, and its flowers are fragrant and resemble those of the common milkweed. The fruit of the plant is a large, round, and woody capsule that contains numerous small seeds that are surrounded by a silky, cotton-like material.

The apple of sodom has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including malaria, fever, snakebites, and gastrointestinal disorders. The plant contains a number of bioactive compounds, including cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids, that have been shown to have a range of pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antitumor activities.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Calotropis procera has also been used for centuries as a source of fiber for weaving. The silky, cotton-like material that surrounds the seeds of the plant is known as floss silk and has been used to make a variety of products, including textiles, ropes, and paper. The plant's wood is also used for fuel and as a building material.

Despite its usefulness, the common Milkweed can be extremely toxic if ingested in large quantities. The plant contains a number of cardiac glycosides, including calotropin and uscharin, that can cause severe cardiac arrhythmias and even death if consumed in excess. The plant's toxic properties have also led to its use as a traditional poison for hunting and fishing.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential medicinal and industrial uses of Calotropis procera. Researchers are exploring the plant's pharmacological properties and are working to develop new drugs based on its bioactive compounds. There is also increasing interest in the plant's potential as a source of renewable energy, particularly in regions where wood and other traditional fuels are scarce.

Calotropis procera is a fascinating plant with a rich history of traditional use in medicine and industry. While its toxic properties must be treated with caution, its potential benefits make it a plant worth studying and exploring further. As researchers continue to uncover the plant's secrets, it is likely that we will discover new and innovative ways to harness its medicinal and industrial properties for the benefit of society.

 

 

Apple of Sodom

Apple of Sodom Bark

Apple of Sodom seeds

Apple of Sodom seeds

Apple of Sodom

Apple of Sodom Fruit

Apple of Sodom Flowers

Apple of Sodom Leavs

Apple of Sodom flowers

Apple of Sodom

Samanea saman - Rain Tree

General Information Common Name  Rain Tree Scientific Name  Samanea saman Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  Up to 25 m (up to 82 ft) Spread  Up to 40 m (up to 132 ft) Growth Rate  Fast Bloom Time  Summer Color  Green, Yellow Flower Color  Yellow, Pink Type  Tree Native  South America, South Asia

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass  Rosidae Order  Fabales Family  Fabaceae – Pea family Genus  Samanea Merr. – Raintree Species  S. Saman

Samanea saman - Rain Tree

Samanea saman common name is Rain Tree. It is range extends from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil, but it has been widely introduced to South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii. Common names include saman, rain tree and monkey-pod. Saman is a wide-canopied tree with a large symmetrical crown. It usually reaches a height of 25 m (82 ft) and a spread of 40 m (130 ft). The leaves fold in rainy weather and in the evening, hence the name "rain tree" and "five o'clock tree" (Pukul Lima) in Malay. The evergreen leaves are alternate, bipinnate, 25–40 cm long, with 2–6 pairs of pinnate, each of which bears 6–16 paired stalks-less leaflets, with a glandular dot between each pair. Flowers are produced near the end of twigs in clusters on a green hairy stalk with many small tubular pink or yellow flowers. The fruits are flat seed pods, black, 20–30 cm long, containing several oblong reddish-brown seeds about one cm long. The seed looks like monkey-pod. The name "rain tree" was coined in tropical India, especially Bengal. Its origin is the moisture that collects on the ground under the tree, largely the honeydew-like discharge of cicadas feeding on the leaves.

Trees are basically evergreen, but are native to areas of Central and South America that have pronounced dry seasons where the trees exhibit semi-deciduous tendencies. But in south Asia its behavior likes a deciduous tree. It is very fast growing large tree. So people like to plant it for fast harvest wood. It is full sun tree and in rainy season it grows very fast. 

One of the most important uses in Latin America is as a shade tree, especially in parks, pastures, and roadsides, because this species' leaflets fold together at night and in wet weather, allowing the rain to fall through, hence the grass can grow right up to the trunk. The wood is soft, lightweight and takes a beautiful finish but is often cross-grained and difficult to work. It is used for furniture, general construction, and interior trim, for boxes and crates, paneling, plywood, and veneer. In Central American oxcart wheels are made from cross sections of trunks.

Beautiful Rain Tree

Rain Tree Leaves

Leaves of Rain Tree

Rain Tree Flower Pink

Rain Tree Flowers Yellow

Rain Tree Green Pod

Rain Tree Pod

Rain Tree Seeds

Rain Tree Bark

Rain Tree Huge Log

Rain Tree Logs

Rain Tree Furniture

Rain Tree Furniture

Rain Tree as Ornamental Tree

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

General Information Common Name  Ponytail Palm Scientific Name  Beaucarnea recurvata Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  4.5–6 m (15–20 ft) Spread  1.8–2.5 m (6–8 ft) Growth Rate  Slow Bloom Time  Spring, Summer Color  Green Flower Color  White Type  Tree Native  Central America, Mexico

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision  Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Liliopsida – Monocotyledons Subclass  Liliidae Order  Liliales Family  Liliaceae – Lily family Genus  Beaucarnea Lem. – bottle-palm Species  B. recurvata

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata is native to eastern Mexico. It is common name is Ponytail Palm. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true palms. It is an evergreen slow growing to 15 – 20 feet (4.5 – 6 m) with a noticeable expanded caudex, for the purpose of storing water. The light green leaves, up to five feet long and 3/4 of an inch wide, are produced in tufts clustered at the tips of branches. The cascading nature of the leaves gives much the appearance of a pony’s tail. A full Ponytail Palm tree also looks like a big onion plant. 

Creamy yellow flowers are quite showy as they are held above the foliage in spring or summer for several weeks. The tree will occasionally flower two or even three times a year. The small creamy white flower is produced only on older trees. The drought tolerant Ponytail palm is a great palm for ornamental placing in the home or office or landscape. The Ponytail palm does not enjoy being over watered. It is also one of the easiest palm trees to take care and suitable for gardening.

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm : Seeds

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm : Seeds

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm : Flowers

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm : Flowers

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm