M.G. Gilbert (2006) Calotropis. Flora of Somalia 3: 144
Plants erect shrubs with large, succulent leaves; latex white. Inflorescences terminal and extra-axillary, peduculate, usuallly with at least 2 major branches, each with subumbelliform clusters of flowers. Corollas lobes for about 2/3rds their length; coralline coronas absent; gynostegial coronas adnate to the gynostegia, composed of 5 laterally compressed staminal lobes, each having an upturned spur at the base, radiating out from the gynostegium; pollinaria pendent, flattened pear-shaped; stigmatic heads pentagonal, depressed or raised slighly above the tops of the anthers. Follicles large, ovoid or subglobose, smooth, usually only one of a pair developing; mesocarp fibrous; endocarp papery; seeds ovate, planoconvex, pubescent, with a tuft of hairs at one end.
Calotropis includes three species. It is native in Africa, Arabia, and southern and southeastern Asia, but has been introduced elsewhere in the tropics. One of the species, Calotropis procera, grows in both Somaliland and Somalia.
Note: GBIF records include introduced and cultivated plants. Consequently, the distribution shown often differs from statements about a taxon's native distribution.