1150

        Cryptolepis dubia (Burm.f.) M.R.Almeida

 

Synonym	:	Cryptolepis buchananii Roem.& Schult
Family	:	PERIPLOCACEAE
Local name	:	Malayalam- Kattupalvalli
Flowering and fruiting period	:	March-August
Distribution	:	Peninsular India and Sri Lanka
Distribution in kerala	:	All Districts
Habitat	:	Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains
Uses	:	Root is demulcent, alterative, tonic and is useful in loss of appetite, fever and skin diseases.It is considered as a blood purifier and extensively used in skin diseases and leprosy.It is prescribed to children for rickets.
Key Botanical Characters:  Climbing shrubs with milky latex. Leaves , elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, base acute or cuneate, apex obtuse or apiculate. Glabrous and glossy, lower surface glaucous; lateral nerves 10-15 pairs, horizontally parallel;  Inflorescence axillary dichotomous cymes, shorter than leaves. Peduncles to 2 cm long. Flowers 5-merous, lax. Calyx lobes 5,  ovate-acute, with 5 scales at base on inner side. Corolla greenish-yellow; tube long, cylindric; lobes 5, long, linear- lanceolate, twisted to right, in buds;, ovate-acute, with 5 scales at base on inner side. Coronal lobes 5, clavate. Pollen granular, united in tetrads.  ovules many. Follicles 2, woody, long. Seeds flat, with silky coma.