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Passion for pink?
BELONGING TO the genus Apocynaceae, the allamanda is a showy climber commonly seen in India and much of the Tropics. Originally from Central and South America, named after the Brazilian naturalist Allamand, it is generally the bright yellow flower that attracts the gardener. The species is very easy to raise either as a shrub or climber.
A rare deep pink allamanda is the Cherry Jubilee, now slowly gaining popularity in gardens all over South India. The deeply funnelled flower, with five-lobed petals is much larger than the yellow variety, and is a perfectly formed beauty. The waxy flower stays fresh for about two-and-a-half days on the plant. Three buds are usually formed on the stem, flowering in sequence.
Flowering is frequent, and the climber can be pruned every now and then to encourage blooming. A high potash fertilizer is essential for the plant. Propagation is only by stem cutting. All parts of the plant are poisonous, and it is better to handle the cuttings with care, avoiding the milky sap.
However, in South America, the leaves of the allamanda are made into an infusion and used as a purgative. The inhaled vapour of the boiled leaves is used as a remedy for cough.
The Allamanda Cherry Jubilee is a dramatic flower, both in size and colour, a most unusual plant to add to one's collection.
RUPA GOPAL
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