Home Page > Picture Archives > > Apocynaceae > Calotropis procera
Asclepias procera, ashkhar, Giant Milkweed, mudar, osher, Sodom's Apple, stabragh, ushaar, ushar
Found only in Doha and in one place in desert west from Al-Ghuwayriyah (north-western Qatar).
Calotropis procera (known by the common names apple of Sodom, Sodom apple, mudar, or osher or stabragh) is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that is native to North Africa, Tropical Africa, Western Asia, South Asia, and Indochina. It is commonly known as apple of Sodom, a name derived from the Hebrew Tapuah Sdom. The green globes are hollow but the flesh contains a toxic milky sap that is extremely bitter and turns into a gluey coating resistant to soap.
Calotropis procera, also known as giant milkweed or sodom's apple, is a succulent shrub native to Africa and Asia. In Qatar, it has been naturalized and is commonly found in coastal areas, beaches, and sandy plains. Studies have shown that C. procera is widely distributed in Qatar, particularly in the northern and western regions of the country.
Research conducted in Qatar has highlighted the plant's adaptability to the local environment, withstanding high temperatures, drought, and saline conditions. The plant's ability to thrive in these conditions makes it a notable species in Qatar's arid ecosystem.
Local studies have also explored the ethnobotanical uses of C. procera in Qatari traditional medicine, where it is used to treat various ailments, including skin conditions and respiratory issues. However, its toxic compounds, such as cardenolides, warrant caution when handling or consuming the plant.
Overall, Calotropis procera is a resilient and ecologically significant species in Qatar, with ongoing research focused on its ecological role, medicinal properties, and potential applications in conservation and environmental management.
Flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) growing near entrance of Dar Al Salam Compound. Doha, Qatar, February 25, 2012
Honey bee on a flower of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012
Bee on opening flower of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012
Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Dense multiflowered inflorescence (umbellate cyme arising from the nodes and appearing axillary or terminal) of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Dense multiflowered inflorescence of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Blooming branch with fruits (fleshy, inflated, subglobose follicle) of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Pentamerous flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Side lit flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) taken from a plant growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Close up of a flower of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar), with 5-lobed calyx, taken from a plant growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Inflorescence of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) taken from a plant growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2012Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Dehisced seedpod (follicle) releasing seeds (silky white pappus) of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) growing from a wall of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, April 14, 2012Al Wakra Main St, Doha, Qatar
Aphids on flower buds of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 5, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Bee flying from a flower of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 5, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Inflorescence of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 5, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Ladybug eating aphids on Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Honey bee on Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Honey bee on a flower of on Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Opening flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Honey bee on a pistil of a flower of on Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Close up of honey bee on a pistil of a flower of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) with a hovering bee in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Flower of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) with a sitting bee in Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Ladybug with half dead aphids on Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) near stone fence of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 26, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Two ladybugs on a leaf of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) near stone fence of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 26, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Honey bee on a flower of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) near stone fence of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 26, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Dehisced seedpod (follicle) releasing seeds (silky white pappus) of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) near stone fence of Dar Al Salam Compound, Abu Hamour area. Doha, Qatar, March 26, 2013Abu Hamour, Doha, Qatar
Alleyway near Umm Wishah Street with Sodom Apple tree (Calotropis procera), Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, May 24, 2013Umm Wishad Street, Doha, Qatar
Old wooden door with a bush of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) at Hadramout Street, Al Doha Al Jadeeda area. Doha, Qatar, June 1, 2013Hadramout St, Doha, Qatar
Flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) between Dar Al Salam Compound and Haloul Street in Abu Hamour. Doha, Qatar, June 27, 201311 Haloul Street, Doha, Qatar
Close up of flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) between Dar Al Salam Compound and Haloul Street in Abu Hamour. Doha, Qatar, June 27, 201311 Haloul Street, Doha, Qatar
Milkweed bugs on flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) between Dar Al Salam Compound and Haloul Street in Abu Hamour. Doha, Qatar, June 27, 201311 Haloul Street, Doha, Qatar
Flowers and fruits of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) between Dar Al Salam Compound and Haloul Street in Abu Hamour. Doha, Qatar, June 27, 201311 Haloul Street, Doha, Qatar
Hovering violet carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) near flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) between Dar Al Salam Compound and Haloul Street in Abu Hamour. Doha, Qatar, June 27, 201311 Haloul St, Doha, Qatar
Blue carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) on flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) between Dar Al Salam Compound and Haloul Street in Abu Hamour. Doha, Qatar, June 27, 201311 Haloul Street, Doha, Qatar
Round golden brown swollen mummies of oleander aphid (milkweed aphid, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe) killed by parasitic wasps Aphidius colemani on seed pods of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) collected near Dareen Tower in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2014
Seeds of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) with tuft of fluff taken from Al Sham Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, March 8, 2014
Fluffy seeds of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) taken from Al Sham Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, March 8, 2014
Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) on Zurara Bin Amir Street in Al Doha Al Jadeeda area. Doha, Qatar, March 21, 2014Ziyad Bin Eyad, Doha, Qatar
Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014Al Sham Street, Doha, Qatar
Yellow leaf of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014Al Sham Street, Doha, Qatar
Flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 17, 2014Al Sham Street, Doha, Qatar
Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) on roadside of Al Istiqlal Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2014Al Istiqlal Street, Doha, Qatar
Dry flowers of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) littering the ground near Al Istiqlal Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2014Al Istiqlal Street, Doha, Qatar
Fruits of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) near Al Istiqlal Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2014Al Istiqlal Street, Doha, Qatar
Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) on Al Sham Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, October 20, 2014Al Istiqlal Street, Doha, Qatar
Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) on Al Sham Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 19, 2015Al Sham Street, Doha, Qatar
Dry fruit of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) collected from Al Sham Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 6, 2016
Small plant of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) on roadside of a road to Al Dhabiya on north-western coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 17, 2016Unnamed Road, Qatar
A tree of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) near a road to Al Dhabiya on north-western coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 17, 2016Unnamed Road, Qatar
Corky bark of a tree of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) near a road to Al Dhabiya on north-western coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 17, 2016Unnamed Road, Qatar
Solitary tree of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera, local name ashkhar) in flat desert near a road to Al Dhabiya on north-western coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 17, 2016Unnamed Road, QatarObservations of Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) were made in various locations in Qatar, including West Bay, Al Doha Al Jadeeda, and Ash Shamal area. The plant was found growing on roadsides, in deserts, and in flat areas. Its growth habits, leaf color, and fruit production were noted. Insects and birds were also observed interacting with the plant. The observations spanned several years, from 2014 to 2016, and included notes on the plant's dry fruits, fluffy seeds, and corky bark. Solitary trees and small plants were found in desert areas, while larger trees were seen in more populated areas. Overall, the observations provide a record of the plant's presence and characteristics in different parts of Qatar. The local name for the plant, "ashkhar", was also noted in some observations.
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