Scientific Name:

Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.

Synonyms: Ervatamia cumingiana (A. DC.) Markgr, Ervatamia recurva (Roxb.) Lace

Unique ID: 168

Systematic Position

Class: Dicotyledonae

Sub Class: Gamopetalae                  

Series: Gamopetalae

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocyanaceae

Common Names

English – Crap jasmine, Milk flower

Malayalam – നന്ദിയാർവട്ടം

Tamil – Nandiyarvattai

Hindi – Kath-malati

Description: The plant generally grows to a height of 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) and is dichotomously branched. The large shiny leaves are deep green and about 6 inches (15 cm) in length and 2 inches (5.1 cm) in width. The waxy blossoms are found in small clusters on the stem tips. The (single) flowers have the characteristic ‘pinwheel’ shape also seen in other genera in the family Apocynaceae such as Vinca and Nerium. Both single and double-flowered forms are cultivated, the flowers of both forms being white. The plant blooms in spring but flowers appear sporadically all year. The flowers have a pleasing fragrance

Habitat: Cultivated

Distribution: Native to South Asia, Southeast Asia and China

Uses:   Medicinal in folk medicine; ornamnetal

Other:  The stem exudes a milky latex when broken, whence the name milk flower.