Oxystelma esculentum - Rosy Milkweed Vine

❏ Binomial Name : Oxystelma esculentum (L. f.) Sm.

❏ Synonym : Periploca esculenta,

❏ Family : Apocynacaeae

❏ Common Name : Rosy Milkweed Vine

❏ Tamil Name : Usippalai

❏ Hindi Name : Dudhialata

❏ IUCN status: Least Concern 

Oxystelma esculentum Botanical Description

Twinging subshrubs. Leaves simple,opposite, 4-8 x 0.5-2 cm, oblong to linear, subcoriaceous, base truncate, apex mucronate; petiole ca. 1 cm. Flower(s) usually paired, axillary, solitary or in lax racemes; peduncle 6-15 cm; bracts deciduous; pedicel ca. 1 cm. Calyx cupular; lobes equal, ovate, imbricate, 4 mm, chartaceous, glabrous, acute. Corolla white or pink with dark pink stripes within, 2.5 cm across, rotate to angulate; lobes triangular, united at the mid half, valvate, 2 cm, shortly overlapping to right in bud, chartaceous, ciliate, acute, recurved. Pollinia pendulous; pollinial bags oblong, 1.3 mm; caudicle 0.2 mm. Corona double; outer corolline, annular, pubescent at the base of corolla within; inner staminal, basally inflated, 5 mm; staminal column 7 mm. Ovaries globose, 3 mm; placenta bifurcate; style 4 mm. Follicle 5 x 2 cm, inflated, mucronate; seeds ovate, 2.5 x 2 mm, base rounded, apex pointed; coma silky, dull white. Fl. &Fr.:  September-April.

Oxystelma esculentum Medicinal uses

❀ Fresh roots are used as a cure for jaundice

❀ A decoction of the plant is used as a gargle 

❀ Roots and leaves are also given to cattle as fodder

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