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Dregea volubilis

Name and publication

Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 46 (1883).

Description

Known as “pradip” or “arti pods” in the potpourri trade, follicles of D. volubilis are narrowly ovoid, 10-15 cm long x 3-4 cm wide, longitudinally wrinkled-striate or irregularly ribbed.

Nativity and distribution

Dregea volubilisis native to Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kashmir, Laos, Maloaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The young shoots are eaten, and both the leaves, stems, and roots are used medicinally. The stems also yield a fiber. The follicles of Marsdenia macrantha Schltr. (D. macrantha Klotzsch) are very similar but from tropical Africa.

Family

Asclepiadaceae, also placed in Apocynaceae

Synonymy

Asclepias volubilis L.f.

Wattakaka volubilis (L.f.) Stapf

fruit follicles, showing inner (center two) and outer (right and left) surfaces; photo © The Lebermuth Company, Inc.

fruit follicles, showing inner (center two) and outer (right and left) surfaces; photo © The Lebermuth Company, Inc.
fruit follicle, inner surface, bleached; photo by Lyndon Photography

fruit follicle, inner surface, bleached; photo by Lyndon Photography
fruit follicle, dyed green, inner surface; photo by Christina Southwick

fruit follicle, dyed green, inner surface; photo by Christina Southwick
fruit follicles, dyed green, inner surface; photo by Christina Southwick

fruit follicles, dyed green, inner surface; photo by Christina Southwick
fruit follicle, outer surface, bleached; photo by Lyndon Photography

fruit follicle, outer surface, bleached; photo by Lyndon Photography
fruit follicle, outer surface; photo by Lyndon Photography

fruit follicle, outer surface; photo by Lyndon Photography
fruit follicles, dyed green, outer surface; photo by Christina Southwick

fruit follicles, dyed green, outer surface; photo by Christina Southwick