Wrightia tinctoria (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Wrightia tinctoria R. Br.

Family: Apocynaceae

Vernacular names

• Pala indigo (En)
• Vietnam: thu'ng mu'c, thu'ng mu'c nhuôm.

Distribution

Central and southern India, Burma, possibly also Indo-China. Timor is often also cited, but this is incorrect and applies to Wrightia pubescens R. Br. Rarely planted in gardens in South-East Asia, e.g. Java.

Uses

From the leaves an indigo-like dye can be obtained which is used in India to dye cloths. In India the plant is also used medicinally, and for green manure. Flowers, leaves, fruits and seeds are eaten as vegetable. The wood is used for implements and wood carvings.

Observations

A laticiferous small tree up to 18 m tall, but usually much smaller, with decussate, simple leaves, white or lilac fragrant flowers, and a fruit consisting of a pair of pendulous follicles. The leaves contain a substance which is indicated as "pseudoindican". The wood is white and hard, resembling ivory. About 100-200 kg of leaves are needed to prepare 1 kg of dye.

Selected sources

12, 14, 21, 23, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 45, 49.