Tabernaemontana alternifolia L.

Family: Apocynaceae

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Gentianales > Apocynaceae > Tabernaemontana > Tabernaemontana alternifolia L.

Common name [English]:

Vernacular name [Malayalam]: കുന്നിപാല, കമ്പിപാല കുണ്ടലപാല

Nativity: W. & S. India

Habitat: Moist deciduous forests, also in sacred groves

Description: Small trees, to 8 m high; bark corky with shallow fissures, latex milky. Leaves elliptic-oblong, apex acuminate, base acute, lateral nerves 12-15 pairs, intercostae reticulate; petiole 2 cm long. Cymes terminal or axillary; peduncles to 4 cm long. Flowers pedicellate; calyx 4 mm long, lobes short, oblong, obtuse; corolla white, tube 25 mm long; lobes 15 mm long, oblong, obtuse, apex crisped. Capsule yellow, beak acuminate; aril red.

Flowering and Fruiting: April - October

Uses: The latex is used to treat ringworm, wound infections, coryza, headaches, abscesses, boils, and carbuncles. A paste of the fruit is applied topically in treating contusions and sprained backs

Cultivation: Wild

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org