Helicteres isora L.
| Synonym : | Helicteres grewiaefolia DC. Isora grewiaefolia (DC.) Schott & Endl. Ixora versicolor Hassk. |
|---|---|
| Bangla Name : | Jankaphal,Atmura,Mura,Atmora,Pichrangi. |
| English Name : | East Indian screw-tree |
| Family : | Sterculiaceae |
| Disease : | Eczema, skin diseases, demulcent, astringent, bowels, flatulence, chronic dysentery, intestinal worms, dysentery, diarrhoea, biliousness, cough, asthma, diabetes, stomach affections, expectorant, anti-galactagogue, griping, scabies. |
| Description : | Large shrubs or small trees; bark pale greyish, finely wrinkled; young shoots stellate- tomentose. Leaves obovate to suborbicular, base cordate, margin irregularly crenate- serrate, apex acute or acuminate, Flowers axillary, solitary or in few-flowered cymes; bracts linear. Calyx slightly yellow, persistent, tubular, splitting in to 5 irregular lobes Petals 5, unequal, obovate, clawed, crimson, fading to pale blue. Staminal column 3-3.5 cm long, cylindric; stamens 10 ; staminodes 5. Ovary placed at tip of gynophore, 5-lobed, 5-celled; ovules many; style 5; stigma subulate. Follicles, spirally twisted, stellate-tomentose, beaked. Seeds angular, black, wrinkled |
| Distribution : | The species occurs in the forests of Tangail and Dhaka. |
| Chemical Constituents : | Bark contains chloroplast pigments, phyto-sterol, a hydroxy-carboxyho acid, a crystalline colouring matter, saponins, sugars, phlobotannins and lignin. |
| Uses : | The plant is used in eczema, skin diseases, demulcent, astringent, bowels, flatulence, chronic dysentery, intestinal worms, dysentery, diarrhoea, biliousness, cough, asthma, diabetes, stomach affections, expectorant, anti-galactagogue, griping, scabies |
| Habit : | small tree |