Plumeria alba

Scientific name: Plumeria alba L.

Family: Apocynaceae

Synonym: Plumeria revolutifolia Stokes

Bengali/Vernacular name: Kath golap, Gulachin.

Tribal name: Gulchi (Tripura).

English name: White frangipani, Noseay tree.

Description of the plant: A small tree. Leaves simple, large, pubescent beneath, 25-30 cm long, linear-oblong, rounded at the base, apex acute or acuminate, margin revolute. Cymes terminal, peduncles 30-35 cm long. Flowers white with yellow centre, fragrant. Follicles linear.

Plant parts used: Bark.

Ethnomedicinal uses: A decoction is made with the bark of the plant, after adding little amount of salt and sugar it is taken once a day (50 ml amount) for three days to treat constipation.

A decoction is made with the bark of the plant is taken twice a day until the gastric ulcer is cured.

Powder prepared from the dried bark of the plant is taken twice a day (5 gm amount each time) until the tuberculosis is cured.

An extract is made with the bark of the plant is used for gargling four times a day for seven days to treat toothache.

Decoction prepared from the bark of the plant is used for the treatment of gonorrhoea, dropsy, and dysuria.

Distribution: It is planted throughout the country.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….