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ClimberCultivatedAnnualMedicinal

Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb.ex R.Br.

Vilayti-vakundi
Synonyms: Nerium grandiflorum Roxb. (basionym); Cryptostegia madagascariensis Bojer (misapplied)

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Description

Cryptostegia grandiflora is a vigorous evergreen woody climber or scrambling shrub, often reaching 5–15 m in length. All parts exude abundant white milky latex when injured. Stems are slender, woody, and twining, climbing over trees and other vegetation. Leaves are opposite, simple, leathery, elliptic to ovate, glossy dark green above and paler beneath, with entire margins, a rounded to acute base, and a short petiole. Flowers are large, showy, fragrant, and funnel-shaped, borne in axillary clusters. The corolla is pinkish-purple to mauve with a darker throat and five spreading lobes. The fruit consists of a pair of long, narrow, cylindrical follicles that split open at maturity, releasing numerous flattened brown seeds, each bearing a tuft of silky white hairs for wind dispersal.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative
Vigorous woody climber with abundant milky latex and glossy opposite leaves.
Floral
Large, fragrant, pinkish-purple funnel-shaped flowers borne in axillary clusters.
Fruit & Seed
Long paired follicles containing numerous silky-haired seeds adapted for wind dispersal.

Distribution

Native range: Madagascar.

Introduced range: Widely cultivated and naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas.

In Pakistan: Occasionally cultivated in Pakistan as an ornamental climber in gardens, parks, and botanical collections.

Phenology

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Flowering
Fruiting
Flowering: Most of the year, with peak flowering from March to October Fruiting: Throughout the year under favorable conditions

Ethnobotany & Uses

Ornamental Uses
Widely cultivated for its attractive evergreen foliage and large, showy flowers.
Traditional Uses
The latex has been used locally for medicinal and industrial purposes, although its use is limited because of its toxicity.
Other Uses
Historically cultivated as a source of rubber-like latex. In several tropical countries, the species has become a serious invasive weed, smothering native vegetation and reducing biodiversity.
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Where it grows on campus

North-North-West Campus1
1
individuals mapped across 1 zone
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Taxonomic Notes

Cryptostegia grandiflora is easily recognized by its vigorous climbing habit, abundant milky latex, glossy opposite leaves, large pinkish-purple flowers, and long paired follicles. It resembles Cryptostegia madagascariensis, but the latter generally has smaller flowers and leaves. Due to its rapid growth and prolific seed production, C. grandiflora is listed among the world's important invasive plant species in many tropical regions.