Allamanda cathartica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-ah-MAN-dah kah-THAR-tik-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Allamanda is a tropical, evergreen, perennial vine in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It is native to Central and South America but is cultivated in warm areas around the world. In temperate regions, they are grown as greenhouse plants or houseplants for their freely produced, brightly coloured, golden yellow flowers that contrast with the shiny dark green leaves. The species epithet is Latin for cathartic, in reference to its purgative effect when ingested.
Allamanda forms a sprawling shrub or woody climber that tends to sprawl and twine itself around a support and will need to be tied to a trellis or other support. If grown outdoors in the landscape, the plants should be cut back and overwintered as indoor container plants before the first freeze. Note that, once indoors, the plant requires a site with bright light. Whether indoors or out, the plant does require ample moisture and good drainage.
This plant is suitable for butterfly gardens, rain gardens, and drought tolerant gardens. As a container plant it can be trained on a trellis to work as a screen, or it can be an accent or specimen plant on its own.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Compacta'
- 'Flone Pleno'
- 'Grandiflora'
- 'Hendersonii'
- 'Williamsii'
- 'Compacta'
- 'Compacta', 'Flone Pleno', 'Grandiflora', 'Hendersonii', 'Williamsii'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Compacta'
- 'Flone Pleno'
- 'Grandiflora'
- 'Hendersonii'
- 'Williamsii'
- 'Compacta'
- 'Compacta', 'Flone Pleno', 'Grandiflora', 'Hendersonii', 'Williamsii'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allamanda
- Species:
- cathartica
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Leaves and roots are used as a laxative and emetic in traditional medicine, but large doses are toxic.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical America, and Brazil
- Distribution:
- Central America, India, Asia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- moist soil
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- Winged seeds inside prickly pods.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are tubular, yellow, and in clusters at ends of branches from summer to fall. Flowers up to around 3 1/2 inches are held in groups of 12 on short branches at the ends of shoots or in the leaf axils.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 2 1/2 inches long, 1 1/2 inch wide, opposite, simple, glossy, and leathery. This vigorous climbing plant has leathery evergreen leaves arranged in whorls of 4 at intervals along the stem and bright yellow flowers.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The stems twine to 19 feet or more and contain milky sap.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous through: Ingestion, dermatitis. Sap causes skin and eye irritation. TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN; SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Symptoms may include fever, swollen lips, thirst, nausea, diarrhea; skin irritation upon contact with cell sap.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unknown
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems