Black creeper
Ichnocarpus frutescens

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A trailing shrub or woody climber. It grows 4-8 m high. The stems are long and twining. The young growth has rusty hairs. The leaves are stalked. They are 2.8-10 cm long by 0.8-6 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped. They are dark green above and hairy underneath. The flowers are white and have a scent. They occur in leafy flat topped flower arrangements in axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is a many seeded fruit. It is slender and cylindrical. It is 8-12 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. The seeds are very slender and 1-2 cm long.

There are about 12-18 Ichnocarpus species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can also grow in warm temperate regions. In Nepal it grows between 150-900 m altitude. In northern Australia it grows from sea level to 720 m altitude. It grows in open as well as shady places. It needs a well drained soil. It can tolerate moderate frosts. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bel kamu, Dudhe lahara, Dudhi latar, Dudhim Syamalota, Gorwiballi, Illukatte, Kalidudhi, Kantebhouri, Karehambu, Krishnasarwa, Lamkandol, Madhobi, Nanari, Nlateage, Paalvally, Paharukibandan, Parari ghans, Paravalli, Sariva, Siamalata, Soyamnoi, Syamalata, Syamolota, Taw-sabe, Twinnet-kado, Udargodi

Synonyms

Apocynum frutescens L.; Echites frutescens (Linn.) Roxb.; Ichnocarpus leptodictyus F. Muell.; and others