Hunteria zeylanica

Hunteria zeylanica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Hunteria
Species:
H. zeylanica
Binomial name
Hunteria zeylanica
Synonyms
  • Cameraria zeylanica Retz.
  • Gynopogon lanceolatus Kurz
  • Hunteria africana K.Schum
  • Hunteria corymbosa Roxb.
  • Hunteria lanceolata Wall. ex A.DC.
  • Hunteria legocii Livera
  • Hunteria roxburghiana Wight
  • Tabernaemontana salicifolia Wall. ex A.DC.

Hunteria zeylanica grows as either an evergreen shrub or as a tree up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 34.5 centimetres (13.6 in). Its flowers feature a white corolla. The berries are yellow. Its habitat is forests from sea level to 350 metres (1,150 ft) altitude. The trees can withstand salinity. Local medicinal uses include for stomach-ache. Hunteria zeylanica wood is used for weapon handles and as firewood. In Africa, the plant is native to Kenya and Tanzania and in Asia it is native to China, India, Sri Lanka, Indochina and western Malesia.