Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.-Ham.) Wall. ex G. Don

കുടകപ്പാല

Family : Apocynaceae

Synonym :

Echites pubescens Buch.-Ham., Echites antidysenterica Roth in Roem. & Schult., Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A. DC., Holarrhena malaccensis Wight

Common Names : Kadalapala, Kadavelapparintholi, Kudagapala, Conessi bark, Ester tree, Ivory tree, Tellicherry tree, Indrajao

Flowering Period : April – October

Distribution : Indo-Malesia

Habitat : Moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains

Uses : It is one of the best drug for Diarrhoea. According to Ayurveda, the bark is useful in treatment of piles, skin diseases and biliousness. The bark is used externally in case of skin troubles. The bark is mostly mixed with cow urine and applies it in affected parts. In treatment of urinary troubles, the bark is given with cow milk.

Key Characters :

Small deciduous trees; to 8 m high; bark rough, pale brown, to 8 mm, exfoliates in small flakes; latex milky white. Leaves simple, opposite, broadly ovate, ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, apex acute or acuminate, base obtuse, margin entire. Flowers bisexual, creamy-white, slightly fragrant, in terminal and axillary corymbose cymes, appear along with new leaves. Calyx lobes 5, oblong-lanceolate, ciliate, glandular within at base. Corolla salvar shaped, lobes 5, oblong, obtuse, as long as the tube, puberulous, mouth with a ring of hairs. Stamens 5, included. Carpels 2, apocarpous; ovules many in each carpel, style 2 mm long; stigma fusiform, bifid. Fruit of 2 terete elongated follicular mericarps.