Plumbago zeylanica, commonly known as Ceylon leadwort, doctorbush[2] or wild leadwort,[3] is a species of plumbago with a pantropical distribution. Carl Linnaeus described the paleotropicalP. zeylanica and NeotropicalP. scandens as separate species, but they are currently considered synonymous.
Plumbago zeylanica is a herbaceous plant with glabrous stems that are climbing, prostrate, or erect. The leaves are petiolate or sessile and have ovate, lance-elliptic, or spatulate to oblanceolate blades that measure 5-9 × 2.5–4cm in length. Bases are attenuate while apexes are acute, acuminate, or obtuse. Inflorescences are 3–15cm in length and have glandular, viscid rachises. Bracts are lanceolate and 3-7 × 1–2mm long. The heterostylous flowers have white corollas 17–33mm in diameter and tubes 12.5–28mm in length. Capsules are 7.5–8mm long and contain are reddish brown to dark brown seeds.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Plumbago zeylanica grows throughout the tropical and sub-tropical climates of the world,[citation needed] including Australia and India. In Australia, it grows in the understory of monsoon forests and vine thickets from sea level to 900m.[4] In Dhofar, Oman, this species is often found growing on Olea trunks.[5]
Early folk medicine used the crushed plant internally and externally as an abortifacient.[5] In Ayurveda, P. zeylanica is known as chitrak, meaning "the spotted one". It is used with other herbs to lessen its intense pungency.[8]
1 2 G., Miller, Anthony (1988). Plants of Dhofar, the Southern Region of Oman: Traditional, Economic, and Medicinal Uses. Morris, Miranda., Stuart-Smith, Susanna., Oman. Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment. Muscat: Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Sultanate of Oman. p.232. ISBN0715708082. OCLC20798112.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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