Asclepias curassavicaCommon name: Redhead Cotton Bush

Meaning of name: Asclepias was the name used by Pliny for Vincetoxicum officinale, from the Greek Asceplios, in Homer, the name of a Thessalian prince famous as a physaician. Curassavica is from the Latin place name of Curacao, West Indies.

Distribution: Found in disturbed areas from Carnarvon to Mandurah.

Remarks: This plant is a garden escapee which grows to 1 metre tall. It is originally from tropical America.

References: Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 1997.
Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.