Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Gentianales > Apocynaceae > Rauvolfia > R. serpentina

Description: Subshrubs, rootstock thick, sap watery. Leaves 7-10 x 3 cm, oblanceolate, acuminate at both ends, glabrous, lateral nerves to 12 pairs. Cymes axillary and terminal, densely flowered; peduncles to 5 cm long. Flowers white; sepals 4 mm long, oblong, acute; corolla white, tube 15 mm long, lobes 5 mm long, oblong, obtuse. Capsules 5 mm, ovoid, obtuse, black; fruiting calyx crimson.

Flowering and Fruiting : April to October

Uses : The roots is bitter, acrid, heating, pungent; anthelmintic. The alkaloids in the roots effective remedy against hypertension, useful in curing insomnia, psychosis, epilepsy, anorexia ,diseases of nervous system, worms and snake bites .The juice of the leaves is instilled in to the eyes by the natives of India as remedy for the removal of opacities of the corona. Traditionally, the N.E. people roots used as abortifacient.

Cultivation : Common

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org