Volkameria inermis Linn.
An erect to scandent or trailing, evergreen shrub, up to 3 m tall, commonly used for hedges round the gardens etc. Leaves elliptic-ovate to obovate, opposite, entire, petiolate, subcoriaceous. Flowers white, in axillary, trichotomous cymes, terminating the branches, c. 2 cm across; pedicels 1.5-4 cm long; bracts minute, linear. Calyx 5-6 mm long, cupular, minutely 5-toothed, persistent, slightly broader than the base of corolla-tube. Corolla-tube 2.5-3.5 cm long, glabrous; lobes ovate, c. 8 mm long, obscurely crenulate, obtuse. Stamen filaments pubescent, dark violet or purple, much exserted, curved above. Drupe pear-shaped, c. 10 mm long, 4-lobed, glabrous, enclosed by the persistent calyx, green.
Fl. Per.: Almost throughout the year.
Type: Habitat in India. Herb. Linn. 809/3 (LINN).
Distribution: A native of the sea coasts of India and Sri Lanka, introduced and naturalized along sea shores of Burma, Australia and China.
A very common hedge plant of the plains of Sind and Punjab. In Karachi it thrives well. Its cuttings are used for producing new plants.