Tubeflower is a semiwoody shrub or returning perennial, 6-9 ft tall and
only slightly, if at all, branched. Common name "Sky Rocket" derives from
its persistent slender, vertical, nonbranching habit, frequently to 10 ft.
tall. The stem is hollow and the leaves are elliptic and 6-8 in long, borne
in whorls of four on very short stalks. The inflorescence is huge,
consisting of many tubular snow white flowers in a terminal cluster up to 2
ft long. The tubes of the flowers are about 4 in long and droop downward,
and the open mouths are about 2 in across. The fruits are attractive dark
metallic blue drupes, about a half inch in diameter.
Medicinal uses: The bark of the root contains phenolic glycoside
and seponin as active ingredient. Seponin is very helpful as an
antihistamine agent thus is very much effective in preventing the bodies or
over active reaction of the body towards any external agent entering the
body. According to Ayurveda, it is a good anti-inflammatory agent and also
helps in healing of wounds. It improves circulation of blood in the body.
Bhangri is also helpful in improving the digestive activities of the body.
It acts on respiratory system thus expelling out the excessive mucus in the
tract relieving from cough, cold and asthmatic symptoms. It opens the body
pores and increases the sweating in the body.
Identification credit: Tabish
Photographed at Taj Mahal, Agra.
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The flower labeled Tubeflower is ...