Common names: Hiptage, Helicopter Flower
• Hindi: Madhavi lata
• Manipuri: Madhabi
• Kannada: Madhvi
• Bengali: Madhabilata
• Tamil: Vasantakaala malligai
Botanical name: Hiptage benghalensis
Family: Malpighiaceae (Barbados cherry family).
Madhavi lata, native from India and found through-out Braj Mandal, is a vine like plant that is often cultivated in the tropics for its attractive and fragrant flowers. A woody climbing shrub with clusters of pink to white and yellow fragrant flowers with 3-winged, helicopter-like fruits. Flowers have a very interesting shape and look like a decorative accessory, with fluffy-toothed edges. The fragrance is very strong yet pleasant, resembles fruity perfume. Leaves are narrow and drooping. This plant can be trimmed as a bush or can be crown in container.
Make sure to provide lots of light for profuse blooming.
The genus name, Hiptage, is derived from the Greek hiptamai, which means "to fly" and refers to its unique three-winged fruit known as "samara". The fruit is carried away by wind because of its papery wings.
Medicinal uses: The bark, leaves and flowers are aromatic, bitter, acrid, astringent, refrigerant, vulnerary, expectorant, cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal. They are useful when treating; burning sensations, wounds, ulcers, coughs and asthma.
