Common name: Nag Kuda • Marathi: नाग कुडा Nag-kuda • Malayalam: Churutu-pala, Kampippala • Sanskrit: Kampillakah
Botanical name: Tabernaemontana alternifolia Family: Apocynaceae (Oleander family) Synonyms: Ervatamia heyneana, Tabernaemontana heyneana
Nag Kuda is small tree native to Western Ghats, growing up to 2-5 m tall.
Oppositely arranged leaves are elliptic-oblong, 23 cm long, 6.5 cm wide,
prominently nerved. White flowers are borne in corymb-like cymes. Sepals
are 5, thick, fused at the base. Flowers have a narrow tube which flares
into a flat flower. Five stamens do not protrude out. Fruit is quite
interesting - itconsists of two boat-shaped orange pods, up to 4 cm long,
with recurved beaks.
Medicinal uses: This plant is used in Ayurveda.
Identification credit: Prashant Awale, Satish Pardesi & Neil Soares
| Photographed in Maharashtra. |
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