Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz
Vernacular name: Madhavilata
Species Name: Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz
Family: Malpighiaceae
Habit: Extensive Climber
Stem: Woody
Leaf: Elliptic-oblong or ovate-oblong, coriaceous, glabrous, Drooping.
Flowering: January-May
Flowers: bisexual flowers, Showy, White, Fragrant
Fruit: 3-winged, seeds solitary, glabrous, globose
Uses
- The genus name, Hiptage, is derived from the Greek hiptamai, which means “to fly” and refers its unique three-winged fruit known as “samara”. The fruit is carried by wind because of its papery wings.
- The bark, leaves and flowers are aromatic, bitter, acrid, astringent, refrigerant, vulnerary, expectorant, cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal. They are useful in burning sensation, wounds, ulcers, cough and asthma.
