Bloodflower

Asclepias curassavica L

Asclepias curassavica L., Sp. Pl., 215, 1753.—Jardin, Mém. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg, 5:297, 314, 1857.—Jouan, Mém. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg, 11:114, 1865.—Drake, Ill., 235, 1892; Flore, 127, 1892.—F. Brown, Flora, 237, 1935.

Slender herb to 1 m tall, leaves thin, lanceolate, corolla reddish orange, coronas orange, follicles narrowly fusiform, smooth.

A Mexican species, widespread in the Pacific Islands, originally planted in gardens, now naturalized in disturbed weedy places. In the Marquesas it is occasionally seen, but is generally uncommon.

SPECIMEN SEEN.—Marquesas Islands: Herb. S.F.I.M. 20 (P).

Eiao I.: Common, Jones 1542A (BISH); plateau above Vaituha Bay, Decker 227 (BISH, US, UC, P).

Nukuhiva I.: Savatier 1975 (P); above Uea Valley, 150–200 m, Decker 2032 (US); Hakaui, Brown 771 (BISH).

Uahuka I.: Upper Ha’avei Valley, 200–250 m, Decker 1484 (US, BISH, Fo) Vaipae’e, 50 m, Decker 1762 (US); Brown 1818 (BISH); Quayle 1722 (BISH).

Uapou I.: Brown 1091 (BISH).

Hivaoa I.: Atuona, 800 m, rare, PES Ex 71 (BISH); Tepehi (above Hanamenu), exposed hillside, 600 m, PES (M & A) 420 (BISH); Natue Valley, 0–100 ft [0–30 m], Decker 1232 (US); Atuona, Brown 377 (BISH); Hana Japa, Quayle 1635 (BISH).

Fatuiva I.: Omoa, Brown 996 (BISH).

ETHNOBOTANY.—According to Jouan, this plant was introduced into Tahiti in 1839 and into the Marquesas (Nukuhiva) at the very beginning of the French occupation in 1842, and was spreading around Taiohae when he left in 1856. Jardin said the Marquesans made soft cushions from the seed plumes. Both give the name “kirika,” a borrowing from the English “silk.” Related names are kirita (Decker 1762), puakirita (Herb. S.F.I.M. 20), and uru uru vaikirita (PES Ex 71). Still other names: “herbe de Mme Boivin,” LeBronnec (MS) and F. Brown (1935:237) cite also vevai from Fatuiva.