Tabernaemontana divaricata

Scientific name: Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.

Family: Apocynaceae

Synonym:  Nerium divaricatum L.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Bantagar, Jongli tagar, Kathmaloti, Dudhphul, Rupa-tola.

Tribal name: Oiakte (Bawm), Hastadangar (Chakma), Aungche paing fung (Chak), Aekachop (Khumi), Boyomaa baajaa (Marma), Caney-pawn (Rakhaing), Khom-tok-twi (Tripura).

English name: Moon bean, Wax flower.

Description of the plant: A slender, bushy shurb, dichotomously branched with milky latex. Leaves opposite, glabrous, 5-12 cm long, elliptic-oblong, acuminate. Cymes peduncled, dichotomously branched, terminal or axillary, corymbose, flowers white. Follicles divaricate, up to 8 cm long, fleshy, orange-red inside.

Plant parts used: Leaf, root.

Ethnomedicinal uses: Decoction made from leaves of the plant is taken for the treatment of cough.

Root or root-bark chewed for relief of toothache.

Cottonseed-sized pills are made from the leaves of the plant are taken thrice a day (one pill each time) until the abdominal pain is cured.

Powder of the leaves is administered to treat asthma.

An extract made from the leaves of the plant is taken for the treatment of chest pain.

Milky juice of leaves used as drops for ophthalmia; also used as cooling application to irritable surfaces and wounds to prevent inflammation.

Cottonseed-sized pills are made from the leaves of the plant is given to treat tuberculosis.

A paste is made with the leaves of the plant is advised to apply on the infected skin once a day until the eczema is cured.

Distribution: It is found almost throughout the country.

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