Easter tree, Ivory tree, Conessi bark
Holarrhena pubescens

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A small tree or tall shrub. It loses its leaves. It grows 10 m tall. The bark is rough and pale grey and cracked. It peels off in irregular flakes. The leaves are thin and opposite. They are pale green and broadly oval. They are wedge shaped at the base. The flowers are white or cream. They are 3-4 cm across. They are in loose clusters. They are at the ends of twigs. The fruit are a pair of follicles that are curved and slender. They are 20-48 cm long and 6-8 mm thick. It opens to reveal many seeds.

The bark and seeds are used to control dysentery.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It is native to India. It grows up to 1,100 m altitude in the Himalayas. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flowers are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The young fruit are eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. CAUTION: There is a poisonous alkaloid in the seeds.

Flowers are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Flowers, seeds, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Conessia Holarrhena, Danghkyam-kaba, Dudhkhiri, Fajee rip, Indrajao, Indrajau, Khirra Kuda, Khirro, Koreya pump, Koreya phul, Koriya, Kudagappala, Kudva, Kunvad, Kurchi conessi, Lettok, Lettok-gyi, Mai-hkao-long, Mai-yang, Pandhara kuda

Synonyms

Chonemorpha antidysenterica (Roth) G. Don; Chonemorpha pubescens (Wall.) G. Don; Echites adglutinatus Burm.f.; Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) Wall. ex A. DC.; Nerium antidystericum (Roth.) A. DC.; and others