Chandigarh Forests
Department of Forest & Wildlife
UT Administration
Chandigarh
Department of Forest & Wildlife
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Division
|
Angiosperms |
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Class
|
Dicotyledons |
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Subclass |
Gamopetalae |
|
Series |
Hypogynae |
|
Order |
Gentianales |
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Family
|
Apocynaceae |
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Genus
|
Catharanthus |
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Species
|
roseus |
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Etymology:
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Derived from Greek word “katharos”, pure and “anthos”, a flower; referring to its beautiful flowers. |
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Botanical name:
|
Catharanthus roseus ( Linn.) Don ( Vinca rosea Linn.) |
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Local/Trade Names: |
Madagascar; Perinwinkle, Sada- bahar |
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Description: |
Perennial, erect undershrubs or herbs, to 60cm high. Leaves obovate, oblong- elliptic, 2.5-8×1-3.5cm, base cuneate, entire, obtuse, rounded or apiculate, pubescent when young, glabrescent later on; petioles 3-6cm long. Flowers white, pink or purplish, in axillary cymes. Calyx and corolla hairy. Follicles 2-3cm long, pubescent; seeds brownish-black, obovate. |
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Distribution: |
Native of Madagascar, cultivated in most of the tropical countries. |
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Where to see it: |
Nursery, Medicinal plant garden. |
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Uses: |
The leaves are useful in treating oliguria, haematuria, diabetics mellitus and menstrual disorders. The roots and the leaves in the form of a decoction or extract are active on hypertension. The purified alkaloids extracted from the leaves are effective in treating leukaemia, and those from the roots are used to induce cerebrovascular dilatation and for hypertension. |
