Common Name:

General Information

Ixora coccinea is a densely branched, evergreen shrub growing up to 2.5 metres tall[].
The plant is sometimes harvested locally for its edible fruit and medicinal uses. It is commonly grown as an ornamental and as a hedge, valued especially for its floral display[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.

Habitat

Found in a wide variety of habitats at elevations below 600 metres in Sri Lanka[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a partially shaded position[302. Grows best in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil[].
The plant usually flowers continually throughout the year[].
Plants are tolerant of severe pruning[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. It needs to be fully ripe[].

Flowers - used as a condiment[].

Medicinal

The leaves and bark are used as a remedy for diarrhoea[, ].
The leaves are used externally to treat sores, ulcers etc[, ].

The roots are said to be analgesic, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, sedative and stomachic. They are reported to stimulate gastric secretions and bile, and to provide relief in abdominal pains[]. They are used in the treatment of hiccups, fever, gonorrhoea, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea and dysentery.
The roots are applied externally to treat sores and chronic ulcers, and also to treat headache[]. A decoction or infusion of the roots is administered to clear the urine. In Thailand, the roots or flowers are used as anti-inflammatory and antidiarrhoeal drugs, astringent, tranquilizer and appetite stimulant310].

The flowers are said to have similar properties to the roots, but in a milder form. They are said to be analgesic, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic and sedative; and are also used to stimulate digestive enzyme secretion[]. They are used in the treatment of dysentery, leucorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea. A decoction is prescribed to treat haemoptysis and catarrhal bronchitis[].

An infusion of the flowers and bark is used in the treatment of blood-shot eyes[].
A decoction of the flowers or the bark is employed as a lotion against eye troubles, sores and ulcers[].

The plant is occasionally used to treat fevers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant responds well to trimming, and is widely cultivated as an ornamental hedge[, ].

Other Uses

The wood is very hard and heavy, but is too small to be of any value[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings of short-jointed, semi-ripe, non-flowering wood. Pot each cutting up singly and keep in a humid, shaded position at around 25°c until rooted[].
Air layering

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