atoll research bulletin no. 392 the flora of - Smithsonian Institution ...

globose-ovoid, fleshy, compound drupe (syncarp) containing 1 -seeded pyrenes, somewhat
waxy, shiny, creamy to yellowish-white; flesh, strongly fetid and gelatinous, but edible
when ripe; seed, bony. Common to abundant on coastal strip, often protected or planted
around homes and in waste areas; occasional in plateau forest and in older strip-mined
areas. Plants kept around homes to ward off evil spirits; small pieces cut up and rubbed
on hands, face, etc., to ward off evil spirits; roots ground to provide a yellow dye; ripe
fruit eaten raw, but far more common eaten in the past; fruit cooked and mixed with
coconut syrup to make pudding (dedangan); fruit and branches cooked to eliminate evil
smells, especially after war; roots and branches crushed and squeezed to cure rashes,
fruit and roots ground and cooked to cure headaches, tender leaves heated up with
coconut oil and used as a poultice to suck puss out of boils (ibir, ibur), raw fruit ground
and drank as a cure for diabetes, and fruit cooked and used as a cure for dysentery. Plant
also a very important medicinal and multi-use plant in Kiribati and Tuvalu. In Kiribati,
where there have been recent outbreaks of vitamin A-deficiency-induced nightblindness
among young children, programs encouraging mothers to feed children the cooked leaves
of vitamin A-rich M. citrifolia have reportedly improved the situation. 2, 3(58754),
5(98), 6, 7(27807).
Mussaenda erythrophylla Schum. & Thonn. "red mussaenda"
Recent introduction. Trop. Africa. Rare. Shrub or liana, 2 to 4 m high, often with
drooping or climbing branches and copiously pilose branchlets; leaves, 5 to 12 cm long
and 3 to 8 cm wide, oval-ovate to almost cordate (when young), acuminate, base obtuse
to slightly decurrent, copiously pilose, prominently veined; petioles, 1 to 6 cm long;
stipules, interpetiolar; inflorescences, terminal, several-flowered, branched, corymbose
cymes; calyx, 5-lobed, one of the lobes (rarely 2) enlarged, petal-like, up to 9 cm long
and 6.5 cm wide, ovate-lanceolate, lax-pendant, bright red above and somewhat paler
beneath, palmately veined, pubescent, the other lobes, up to about 1 cm long and 2 mm
wide, narrowly linear-lanceolate, caducous, bright red, calyx tube reddish-pubescent;
corolla, about 2.5 cin long, tubular, 5-lobed, red-pubescent outside with tube white or
pale-yellow within distally; stamens 5, included; fruit, a berry with numerous minute
seeds; Planted ornamental. 6(l95).
Mussaenda frondosa L.
syn. M. sericea B1.
"mussaenda"
Recent introduction. Trop. Africa and Madagascar to S. Asia. Rare. Erect shrub,
up to 4 m or higher, with drooping or rambling branches; leaves, 5 to 18 cm long and 3
to 7 cm wide, opposite. ovate to lanceolate, acuminate. base obtuse, rounded or decur-
rent, puberulent; petioles, 1 to 3 cm long; stipules, concealing a band of hairs, caducous;
inflorescences, terminal corymbose cymes; bracts and bracteoles caducous; calyx 5-lobed,
one of the lobes (rarely more) enlarged, petal-like, foliaceous, colored, white or pink;
corolla, mostly 2 to 3 cm long, tubular, 5-lobed, dark-yellow to orange; stamens 5,