Dhobi Tree/Wild Mussaenda

Description:

Shrub. One sepal is modified into a creamy-yellow elliptic bract. It is pointed at tip. Actual flowers are small; orange in colour.

Habitat:

Suntaley Khola is a remote hilly and forested area by the River Murty in the Dooars region of West Bengal, India.This species was seen growing wild by the roadside. Great profusion!

Notes:

In Hindi Dhobi means washerman. I wonder what the connection is! Synonym: Mussaenda glabrata Also written as: Mussaenda frondosa var. glabrata It is considered medicinal in Ayurveda.