Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Helicteres isora L. (MALVACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Indian Screw Tree, Cabai Pintal

Description

Small tree or large shrub to 8 m tall. Leaves ovate shaped leaves with serrated margins. Asymmetric flowers in small clusters on axils of branches, the flowers characteristically change their colour from bluish-grey on day one to light red on day two and dark red on day three, c. 4 cm across. Pollinated by bees and birds. Fruits greenish ripening brown or grey, compound capsule, twisted like a screw with a pointed end, c. 2 cm long.


Ecology

In open areas in deciduous forest.

Distribution

Native in subcontinent India to Southeast Asia, south China and northern Australia.

Uses

Reported to have many medicinal uses.