Gomphocarpus fruticosus explained

Gomphocarpus fruticosus (swan plant; narrow-leaved cotton bush) is a species of plant native to South Africa.^[1] It is also common in Australia and New Zealand where it is a host of the monarch butterfly.^[2] The plant's tissues contain sufficient cardenolides that consumption of significant quantities of the plant's leaves, stems, or fruit may lead to death in livestock and humans.^{[3] [4] [5]} The plant, also referred to as Narrow leaf cotton bush, has officially been declared a pest in Western Australia.^[6]

The species is closely related to Gomphocarpus physocarpus.

Notes and References

1. Clive Bromilow; Problem Plants of South Africa, Briza Publications 2001
2. Multiple sources:
   • Wise. K. A. J.. Keith Arthur John Wise. June 1963. Food-Plants of 'Monarch' Butterfly Larvae. Tuatara. 11. 2. 81-82. Wellington, New Zealand. Victoria University of Wellington. March 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20231130120728/https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bio11Tuat02-t1-body-d5.html. November 30, 2023. live.
   • Web site: Narrow-leaved Cotton Bush (Gomphocarpus fruticosus. Weeds of Melbourne. March 30, 2021. March 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20230929004235/https://weedsofmelbourne.org/narrow-leaved-cotton-bush-gomphocarpus-fruticosus. September 29, 2023. live.
3. Van Wyk, Van Oudshoorn & Gerike: Medicinal plants of South Africa, Briza Publications 1997.
4. Web site: Philip H. Quanjer . Milk Weed Asclepias fruticosa . 10 January 2014.
5. p. 36 in Book: D. Jesse Wagstaff. International Poisonous Plants Checklist, An Evidence-Based Reference. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.. 2008. 9781420062533.
6. Web site: Narrow leaf cotton bush: declared pest . . 4 May 2020 . agric.wa.gov.au . Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development . 7 May 2021 . Narrow leaf cotton bush (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA)..