Wrightia antidysenterica (Snowflake)

Wrightia antidysenterica (Snowflake) shrub covered with many white flowers and deep green leaves

Botanical name: Wrightia antidysenterica

Common names: Snowflake, Milky way, Winter Cherry Tree, Arctic Snow, Pudpitchaya, Sweet Indrajao, Hyamaraca

Family: Apocynaceae

Origin: Sri Lanka

USDA Zone: 10a-11

Plant form: Large bush; suitable for bonsai

Mature height: 5-10 ft

Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor

Cold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.

Watering: Regular

Flower color: White and off-white

Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing

Fragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

A small compact and bushy shrub that blooms non stop year-round. The plant all covered with 1" white flowers that look like little stars from a distance. It is a perfect specimen for limited space garden or patio. Can be easily grown as a houseplant. Doesn't require additional pruning. It is a medicinal plant in India. The bark possesses anti-microbial and anti-infammatory properties and therefore the juice extracted from it is administered for mouth sores. The leaves are used in treating several skin disorders, psoriasis, nonspecific dermatitis etc. The bark is used as an adulterant for the well known drug, Holarrhena antidysenterica. Related species - Wrightia tinctoria.