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<big>''[[Gomphocarpus fruticosus]]'' (L.) W.T.Aiton</big>
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Gomphocarpus fruticosus'' (PROTA)}}
[[File:Gomphocarpus fruticosus PROTA map.png|thumb|distribution in Africa (wild)]]
:Protologue: Hort. kew. (ed. 2) 2: 80 (1811).
:Family: Asclepiadaceae (APG: Apocynaceae)
:Chromosome number: 2''n'' 2n = 22
== Synonyms ==
*''Asclepias fruticosa'' L. (1753), *''Asclepias decipiens'' N.E.Br. (1908).
== Vernacular names ==
*Narrow-leafed cotton plant, cotton bush, swan plant, bristle-fruited silkweed, mobydick (En). *Faux cotonnier, fanor, petite ouate, la ouate, ouatier marron (Fr).
== Origin and geographic distribution ==
''Gomphocarpus'' comprises about 22 species in tropical Africa and Peninsular Arabia. In ''Gomphocarpus fruticosus'' 5 subspecies are distinguished, depending on the hairiness of the plant, the colour of the flower and the presence of processes and form of the fruit. It is found to hybridize with ''Gomphocarpus physocarpus''.
Several other ''Gomphocarpus'' species in tropical Africa are used medicinally. === ''Gomphocarpus cancellatus'' ====== ''Gomphocarpus filiformis'' ===''[[Gomphocarpus cancellatus]]'' (Burm.f.) Bruyns and ''[[Gomphocarpus filiformis]]'' (E.Mey.) D.Dietr. occur in Namibia and South Africa. Dried and powdered roots or aerial parts are used as a snuff to treat influenza and colds. === ''Gomphocarpus glaucophyllus'' ===''[[Gomphocarpus glaucophyllus]]'' Schltr. occurs from Uganda south to South Africa. In Zimbabwe a root infusion is drunk to treat asthma. A root decoction is given to babies to stop vomiting. === ''Gomphocarpus semilunatus'' ===''[[Gomphocarpus semilunatus]]'' A.Rich. occurs from Nigeria east to Ethiopia and south through East Africa to southern Congo, Zambia and Angola. In Rwanda a whole plant decoction is taken to treat fever and madness. === ''Gomphocarpus solstitialis'' ===''[[Gomphocarpus solstitialis]]'' (A.Chev.) Bullock occurs throughout West Africa. In Togo a root decoction is drunk to treat stomach-ache. === ''Gomphocarpus stenophyllus'' ===''[[Gomphocarpus stenophyllus]]'' Oliv. occurs in the semi-arid regions of southern Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya a root decoction is drunk to treat diarrhoea. === ''Gomphocarpus tomentosus]]'' ===''[[Gomphocarpus tomentosus'' Burch. occurs throughout southern Africa. In Namibia the powder of leaves and stems is used as a snuff to treat colds with nasal discharge. A decoction of the whole plant is used as a genital wash to treat venereal sores. Powder of roasted leaves is applied to wounds and venereal sores. In Botswana dried leaves are taken as an emetic; powdered roots macerated in water are taken as an emetic after poisoning. In South Africa the Tsonga people drink a root decoction to treat intestinal worms.
== Growth and development ==
== Author(s) ==
* A. Gurib-Fakim , Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
== Correct citation of this article ==
Gurib-Fakim, A., 2011. '''Gomphocarpus fruticosus''' (L.) W.T.Aiton. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}.
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[[Category:PROTA prov]][[Category:Medicinal plants (PROTA)]]
