Common Name: Rangoon creeper. Tamil Name. Irangun malli
Rangoon creeper is large woody creeper which can climb over nearby vegetation and grow to around 10 meters. It is a popular garden and house hold plant in Tamilnadu. The young stem is round and tomentose; the simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner. The leaf stalk and leaf length stand at around 3mm and 6-10 cm respectively. The leaves are dark green in color; on the lower surface of the leaf the central leaf vein and 6 pairs of secondary veins are exposed. The leaf shape is elliptic, base unequal and gradually tapering; apex is acuminate; margin entire. The flower bearing branches are seen arching down. The sessile fragrant flowers are tubular they first appear white and later turn dark pink in color. The calyx tube is green and measure around 6-7 cm in length. The flower measures around 3 cm across with 5 corolla lobes. The petal measure around 1.5 cm is obovate in shape. The plant rarely produces a fruit and is mostly grown through layering and cuttings. The fruit is in the form of a capsule. The bloom is initially colored white to attract insects during night time as the flowers age they turn pinkish and attract other insects like bees. The native of this plant is disputed, although many consider it to be originating from the Indian sub-Continent. Rangoon creeper acts as larval host plant for Wax dart, Slate flash, Indigo flash and Plumbeous silverline butterflies.
