Common Name: Quisqualis

General Information

Combretum indicum is a vigorous, fast-growing, climbing shrub growing up to 8 metres tall[]. The much-branched stems can grow up to 20 metres long in tropical climates[].
The plant is a popular traditional medicine and is also grown as an ornamental hedge. It is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics, sometimes also in the warm temperate zone, as an ornamental climber for clothing arches, climbing into trees etc[]. It has fragrant white flowers, which become pink with age[]. In the Tropics of Africa and SE Asia everywhere cultivated for production of the drug (fruits and seeds)[].

Known Hazards

The plant is commonly used in traditional medicine, especially to rid the body of parasites. Caution needs to be employed, however, since in large doses it can cause nausea, vomiting, hiccough and even unconsciousness[]

Botanical References

,

Range

Probably originally native to tropical Asia and possibly eastern Africa, but now widespread through the tropics.

Habitat

Rain forests, low woods, thickets, hedges, mountains, dry hillsides, riversides, roadsides, wasteland at elevations below 1,500 metres in China[]. Thickets and secondary forest[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in the tropical, subtropical and warm temperate zones.
Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[]. Succeeds in a range of well-drained soils so long as they are not too fertile, since this will lead to foliage growth at the expense of flowering[]. Tolerant of very poor growing conditions, it is not uncommon to see the plant rooted only into a small hole in cemented ground, but still thriving and climbing high[].
The plant is widely grown in the tropics as an ornamental, and often escapes from cultivation to become naturalized. It has proved to be invasive in countries such as Australia, where it spreads by seed and also by suckers[].
A very variable species[].
Plants grown from seed will often adopt a shrub-like habit when young, adopting a climbing habit as they get older[].
Under good conditions it will be necessary to prune the plant to keep it in bounds[]..

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is widely used in traditional medicine, valued particularly for ridding the body of parasites. All parts of the plant are used.

The fruits are anthelmintic, used particularly to treat ascarids[]. In large doses they cause nausea, vomiting, hiccough and even unconsciousness[]. A decoction of the fruit is used as a vermifuge[]. The fruits are used to alleviate nephritis[].
A concentrated decoction of the fruit is used as a gargle that is effective against toothache[, ].

The seeds are anthelmintic, used particularly to treat ascarids[]. In large doses they cause nausea, vomiting, hiccough and even unconsciousness[]. The seeds need to be stripped of their surrounding envelopes in order to eliminate their vomitive properties[]. A decoction of the seed is used as a vermifuge[]. The seeds are used to alleviate nephritis[]. A decoction of the seeds is given to children to stop diarrhoea[].
The seeds, macerated in oil, are applied to parasitic skin diseases, boils or sores on children's faces[].

A decoction of the root is used as a vermifuge and is also an effective treatment for rheumatism[, ]. In the Philippines, the plant is used as a bechic or pectoral

The juice of the leaves is considered a remedy for boils and ulcers and the leaves are applied to the head to relieve ache caused by jungle fever[].
The plants are eaten daily by men and women as a method of birth control[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Widely cultivated throughout the tropics as an ornamental hedge plant[].
The plant needs support for growing, but is very useful in covering fences, supports, and walls. The fragrant white flowers grow in pendent racemes, quickly changing to pink then red, making a spectacular show. The growth rate is generally fast, and the plant does not make heavy fertilizer demands[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Softwood cuttings with a heel in a frame[].

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