Mussaenda frondosa

Mussaenda
Mussaenda frondosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Mussaenda
Species: M. frondosa
Binomial name
Mussaenda frondosa
Linnaeus
Synonyms[1]
  • Gardenia frondosa (L.) Lam.
  • Mussaenda belilla Buch.-Ham.
  • Mussaenda dovinia Buch.-Ham.
  • Mussaenda flavescens Buch.-Ham.
  • Mussaenda formosa L. nom. illeg.
  • Mussaenda fruticosa L.
  • Mussaenda ingrata Wall. ex Hook.f.
  • Mussaenda macrophylla Kurz nom. illeg.
  • Mussaenda sumatrensis B.Heyne ex Roth
  • Mussaenda tomentosa Wight ex Hook.f. nom. inval.
  • Mussaenda villosa Schltdl. ex Hook.f. nom. illeg.

Also known as Wild mussaenda, or dhobi tree, is a plant of Rubiaceae family. It is a smaller shrub 1.5 to 2 metres (5 to 6 feet) tall by 1.5 to 2 metres (5 to 6 feet) wide. Like all other mussaenda species, petals are visible as pale white colored leaves just below the flower. Usually they arose with fruits. Known as "Wal buthsarana (වල් බුත්සරන)" in Sinhala language.

- Flowers - Clusters of orange-yellow tubular flowers beside large, white bracts, set among pale green, oval leaves; berries follow the bloom.

- Stem - The erect, branching stem has a shrubby crown.

- Medicinal value - The whole plant of Wild mussenda is used cough, bronchitis, fever, wounds, ulcers, leucoderma, pruritus, jaundice and Leaves make excellent herbal shampoo.

- Range - Native to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and, Indonesia.

References

  1. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 23 January 2015.