Citharexylum spinosum L.
| Kannada Name : | Beli parijatha |
| Common Name : | Florida Fiddlewood |
| Family Name : | Verbenaceae |
| Scientific Name : | Citharexylum spinosum |
| Species Type : | Exotic |
| Phenology : | Evergreen |
| Conservation Status : | Least concern |
| Flowering Period : | All year |
| Fruiting Period : | All year |
| Origin : | Caribbean, Tropical America |
Uses
A decoction of the young twigs is used in the treatment of children's thrush. A decoction of the bark is used as a treatment for colds. It is used for making furniture, musical instruments such as guitars, and is also used for general construction, windows, doors, beams. The wood is useful for fenceposts and other rough construction where resistance to termites and to rot are required
Description
Large shrubs or small, evergreen trees up to 15 m tall. Branches and branchlets 4-angular. Leaves simple, opposite decussate, ovate, oblong-elliptic, to lanceolate, glabrous, chartaceous, base cuneate to acute, apex acuminate, margin entire or dentate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary racemes. Flowers bisexual, creamish-white, fragrant. Fruit a drupe, oblong, black and fleshy.
