Gomphocarpus fruticosus

Gomphocarpus fruticosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Gomphocarpus
Species:
G. fruticosus
Binomial name
Gomphocarpus fruticosus
(L.) W.T.Aiton
Synonyms
List
    • Apocynum salicifolium Medik.
    • Asclepias angustifolia Schweigg.
    • Asclepias cornuta (Decne.) Cordem.
    • Asclepias crinita (G.Bertol.) N.E.Br.
    • Asclepias decipiens N.E.Br.
    • Asclepias flavida N.E.Br.
    • Asclepias fruticosa L.
    • Asclepias glabra Mill.
    • Asclepias rostrata N.E.Br.
    • Asclepias salicifolia Salisb. nom. illeg.
    • Asclepias setosa Forssk.
    • Asclepias virgata Balb.
    • Gomphocarpus angustifolius (Schweigg.) Link
    • Gomphocarpus arachnoideus E.Fourn.
    • Gomphocarpus cornutus Decne.
    • Gomphocarpus crinitus G.Bertol.
    • Gomphocarpus rostratus (N.E.Br.) Bullock
    • Gomphocarpus setosus (Forssk.) R.Br. ex Schult.

Gomphocarpus fruticosus (swan plant; narrow-leaved cotton bush) is a species of plant native to South Africa. It is also common in Australia and New Zealand where it is a host of the monarch butterfly. 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.

The plant, also referred to as Narrow leaf cotton bush, has officially been declared a pest in Western Australia.

The species is closely related to Gomphocarpus physocarpus.