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Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold, Feddes Repert.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cascabela peruviana, Thevetia linearis, Cerbera linearifolia, Thevetia nereifolia, Thevetia peruviana, Thevetia peruviana f. aurantiaca |
| Common Name: | Lucky Bean, Zetung, Jepun, Jitong, Yellow Oleander, Trumpet Flower, Daffodil Bush, Be-still Tree, Lucky Nut, Bunga Jepun, Zetun, Cook Tree, 黄花夹竹桃 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico, Central America, Tropical South America |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large spreading shrub that usually grows up to 2.5 - 3.5 m tall. Occasionally becomes a small tree that grows up to 10 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Linear leaves (7 - 15 cm long, 0.5 - 1 cm wide) are closely spaced and spirally arranged along the stem. |
| Flowers | Large, yellow flowers are funnel-shaped and sweetly scented (5.5 - 7 cm long, 2.5-4 cm wide). They last only one day, opening in the morning and closing in the afternoon. |
| Fruit | The fruit is initially green, but turns black, soft and juicy like a plum at maturity (3 - 4.5 cm wide). It's approximately triangular and contains a stone with 2 kernels. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The milky sap contains a chemical known as Thevetin which is used to stimulate the heart. (Caution: All parts of the plant are toxic and should not be consumed.) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Hedge / Screening, Flowerbed / Border |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Waterlogged Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Tip) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Wrinkled |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
References
| References | Yong J, Tan PY, Nor Hafiz Hassan, Tan SN. 2010. A Selection of Plants for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics. Singapore: Chung Printing . 480 pp. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1212 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2505 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
