Common Name: Paper flower climber. Tamil name: Pullandivalli
Paper flower climber is commonly seen around dry deciduous slopes of Western Ghats. The plant climber which grows over other vegetation and can spread itself to over 5 meters. Gentonia is a monotypic genus. The new branches and rust colored. The mature branches store water: often used by tribal community as an emergency source of water. The flowering branches often arch downwards. The entire plant has a velvety feel. The leaves are velvety on both sides and the leaf petiole and leaf length measure around 7 mm and 9 cm respectively. The leaves are elliptic, the base is cuneate and tip acuminate. The inflorescence is an axillary dense panicle. The flowers and leaves are bunched towards the end of the branches. The plant has prominent green sepals which become rust colored as they age. The flower has no petals. The flower has 10 stamens arranged in two rows. The fruit is in the form of a five ribbed fruit.
