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Similar but less problematic plants:
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Flower, bud, and leaves
Allamanda cathartica is often confused with:
Gelsemium sempervirens Close up of funnel shaped flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Abutilon x hybridum Flower
Clematis viticella Flower detail
Lonicera acuminata Lonicera alseuosmoides

Allamanda cathartica

Phonetic Spelling
al-ah-MAN-dah kah-THAR-tik-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Allamanda cathartica, or Allamanda, is a genus of tropical, tender, perennial evergreen. There are 15 species of Allamanda found in South and Central America and commonly grown in gardens throughout the tropics, where some species have become naturalised and even invasive. In temperate countries such as the United States, 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.

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.

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', 'Flone Pleno', 'Grandiflora', 'Hendersonii', 'Williamsii'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#fall flowers#shrub#yellow flowers#fall interest#fast growing#summer flowers#tender perennials#vine#tropical feel#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compacta'
  • 'Flone Pleno'
  • 'Grandiflora'
  • 'Hendersonii'
  • 'Williamsii'
'Compacta', 'Flone Pleno', 'Grandiflora', 'Hendersonii', 'Williamsii'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#fall flowers#shrub#yellow flowers#fall interest#fast growing#summer flowers#tender perennials#vine#tropical feel#annual
  • 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:
    Annual
    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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Winged seeds inside prickly pods.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    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