Synonyms: 

Alvesia bauhinioides Welw.

Alvesia tomentosa (L.)Britton & Rose

Systematic Position

Kingdom:  Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Native: Tropical southeastern Asia

Common Names

English – Dwarf White Orchid Tree

Malayalam – വെള്ള മന്ദാരം

Description:

 Flowers are white in colour that are fragrant. Shrub, or small tree, reaching up to about 3m tall. Ovate to cordate leaves, measuring 9 – 12 by 8 – 12 cm, underside is greyish pubescent, upperside is glabrous. Fruit is a legume.

Habitat: Small tree

Distribution: Malaysia, Indonesia (Java, Borneo, Kalimantan, Lesser Sunda Islands), and the Philippines.

Uses: Used in traditional medicine for its potential therapeutic properties and as an ornamental plant in landscaping. The roots are used by the Javanese to treat cough and cold. In India, the decoction of leaves and bark is used to treat asthma attack.