Latin name - Calotropis gigantea

Giant Milkweed is a wonderful plant for anyone looking to attract Monarch butterflies into their garden or food forest.  Due to this milkweed's larger, sturdy, and fuzzy leaves, it is able to handle a larger amount of caterpillars than the smaller milkweed varieties.  It can grow up to 15 feet wide and tall in tropical climates - that will host a lot of butterfly larvae!  The Giant Milkweed flowers are a pretty purple or white 5 pointed shape that looks like a crown, hence its nickname Crown Flower.  The flower is also commonly used for Hawaiian leis.  Plant in full sun to part shade, this large shrub makes an excellent backdrop in a butterfly garden.