Volkameria inermis L.
Vernacular name: Scrambling Clerodendrum, Indian privet (Hindi: भौंरा)
Species Name: Volkameria inermis L.
Family: Lamiaceae
Habit: Straggling shrub or vine, 1–4 m tall.
Stem: Woody, smooth, drooping, with purplish twigs.
Leaf: Opposite, elliptical, 3–12 × 1.5–6 cm, petiolate, glossy green, punctate beneath.
Flowering: July–December.
Flowers: Bracteate cymes; 5 white, trumpet-shaped petals with a 1.5–4 cm long tube; exserted red stamens (filaments 15–38 mm); superior 4-locular ovary.
Fruit: Black drupes, about 1 cm long, containing 4 nutlets.
Uses:
- The plant has dense foliage that can be trimmed well, and hence, is commonly used as a hedge plant in India.
- It also grows well on the beach, tolerating all the salty water sprays and prevents the soil erosion.
- Leaves and roots decoction are used to mange muscular pain, asthma, and cough.
- Root oil is used to massage to alleviate arthritis and rheumatism.
- Leaf extracts are used to treat fevers, malaria, rashes and itching.
- In fold remedies, seeds are used antidote for poisonous marine animal bites.
- Plant has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and neuroprotective properties.
