Artabotrys hexapetalus

Artabotrys hexapetalus is an evergreen and strangling climber up to 6-8 m.

The bark of Artabotrys hexapetalus is brownish, longitudinally fissured and transversally cracked. Artabotrys hexapetalus has some stout thorns and recurved hooks.

The leaves of Artabotrys hexapetalus grow alternately on the stem (spirally arranged).
The leaf is simple, bright green coloured above and paler beneath. The leaf is coriaceous, shiny and glabrous on both sides.
The leaves have a 6 mm long petiole.
The leaf of Artabotrys hexapetalus is 10-15 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. The shape is oblong-lanceolate, the apex is acuminate, the base is cuneate and the margins are entire.
The venation of the leaf is reticulate with a prominent midrib.

The flowers of Artabotrys hexapetalus are solitary or paired. The pedicel is 1.5 cm long.
The calyx is composed of 3 sepals. The sepals are ovate, recurved, 7 mm long and 5 mm wide. The calyx is light green and pubescent.
The corolla is composed of 2 rows of 3 fleshy petals. The petals are lanceolate, 3.5 cm long and 1.2 cm wide. The corolla is yellow-coloured and glabrous with minute hairs at the base and the margins.
The androecium is composed of numerous short stamens.
The buds are green and covered with short and white hairs.
The flowers are very fragrant.
 

The fruit of Artabotrys hexapetalus is a berry. They are grouped in clusters of 10-15 fruits.
The pear-shaped berry is 3-4 cm long and 2 cm wide, sessile and 1 or 2-seeded. The fruit is shiny, smooth and green turning yellow when ripe.
The fruits are very fragrant.

The seed of Artabotrys hexapetalus is oblong, 2 cm long and 1.2 cm wide. The seed is concave and flattened on one side.
There are usually 2 seeds in a fruit (sometimes only one).

The essential oil extracted from the flowers of Artabotrys hexapetalus is used in perfumery.

Source : Chopra, 1956, Glossary of Indian medicinal plants

The flowers of Artabotrys hexapetalus are tonic and stimulant.

The fruits and the bark are used to treat fever, diarrhea, skin diseases, wounds, ulcers, inflammation, cough, asthma and bronchitis.

The leaves extract has antibacterial, antifertility and antifungal activities.

Source : Quattrocchi, 2012, CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants