Golden trumpet (Allamanda cathartica)

Allamanda or golden trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) is a species of plant in Apocynaceae, evergreen, woody shrub, upright, up to 2 meters high, old stems are brown due to wood formation and young shoots are green.

The leaves have pointed tips, rough surfaces, 6-23 cm long and gathered in 3-4 strands. The flowers are yellow and shaped like trumpets, 9 cm long and 5-7.5 cm in diameter.

This species grows around rivers or open areas that are exposed to lots of sunlight with sufficient rain and high humidity throughout the year. This plant is unable to grow in saline or too alkaline soil and cannot withstand low temperatures.

A. cathartica grows well and produces flowers in full sun intensity without obstruction. This species grows well in sandy soil, rich in organic matter and well aerated. The right climate for growth is a tropical climate. The native habitat is at an elevation of 0-700 meters, rainfall 1000-2800 mm/year. Flowers grow year-round in many habitats, propagating by seed and stem cuttings. Some hybrid varieties have difficulty producing seed capsules.

Flowers can be used as a laxative. The sap has antibacterial properties. Flowers have antibiotic properties against Staphylococcus bacteria. Flowers are also commonly used as a medicine to prevent complications of malaria and spleen swelling. Roots are used to prevent jaundice.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Rauvolfioideae
Tribe: Plumerieae
Subtribe: Allamandinae
Genus: Allamanda
Species: Allamanda cathartica

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