476
Mussaenda frondosa L.
Synonym
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Gardenia frondosa (L.) Lam.
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Family
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Rubiaceae
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Local name
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English
- Schizomussaenda
Malayalam
- Vellila, Vellilam
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Flowering and fruiting period
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September-March
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Distribution
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Peninsular India
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Distribution in Kerala
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All Districts
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Habitat
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Moist deciduous and
semi-evergreen forests, also in the plains
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Endemic/Exotic
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Peninsular India
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Uses
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Leaves and flowers are
used in external applications for ulcers. Roots are used in the
treatment of leprosy.
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Key
Botanical Characters:
Straggling shrubs;
branchlets pubescent. Leaves simple, opposite, broadly ovate, caudate
acuminate at apex, base rounded, sparsely hairy on both surfaces; petiole to
1.5 cm long; stipules 3-4 mm long, ovate, bifid at apex. Cymes terminal, lax,
tomentose. Flowers 5-merous. Bracts and bracteoles linear, hairy. Calyx-lobes
5, lanceolate, hairy, one of the calyx lobes transformed into a showy, white,
pubescent, leaf-like structure. Corolla funnel-shaped dialated above middle,
orange-red or yellow, tomentose outside, villous at mouth; lobes 6-7 mm long,
ovate-lanceolate. Stamens 5, included or exserted. Berry globose.
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