Crape Jasmine (നന്ദിയാർവട്ടം)




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

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

Systematic Position
Class: Dicotylodonae
Sub Class:   Gamopetalae
Series:
Bicarpellatae
Order:
Gentianales
Family: Apocyanaceae

Common Names
English:
Crape Jasmine
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.