Allamanda blanchetii A. DC.
Vernacular name: Purple allamanda, Alamanda-roxa (Hindi: पर्पल अलामांडा)
Species Name: Allamanda blanchetii A. DC.
Family: Apocynaceae
Habit: Evergreen scandent shrub or climber
Stem: Twining woody stems 2-5 m long, light brown bark, yellow-green branches, milky sap.
Leaf: Whorls of 4, broadly elliptic to orbicular, 8-12 cm long, pubescent, abruptly acuminate.
Flowering: February–July (peak March-April)
Flowers: Terminal and axillary cymes (compound cymose inflorescence – dichasial cymes); funnel-shaped rose-purple trumpet 6-9 cm long, darker throat, 5 rounded lobes.
Fruit: Globose spiny follicle 3-5 cm, many winged seeds.
Uses:
- Planted in gardens as ornamental.
- Poisonous if ingested and sap can irritate skin and eyes.
- Plant has some antioxidant, anti-inflammation and analgesic properties.
- Stem is used to extract strong silky fibers that are white in colour.
