Quisqualis indica

Quisqualis indica is an elegant scandent shrub. It is commonly called Niyog-niyogan, balitadham, tartaraok, Rangoon creeper and Chinese honeysuckle.

This large growing vine spends the start of its life as a bush. It is a evergreen (in warmer climates) creeping shrub that can reach as much as 70 feet height.

The plant flings out its thousands of sweet-scented flowers, which change their tint from white to red. They are fragrant and grow in pendent racemes, quickly changing to pink then red, making a spectacular show. They are mostly present in summer and fall. Some call it fruity, while others liken it to toasted coconut. The thorns on a Quisqualis are formed when a leaf drops but the petiole remains. In a little time this petiole stiffens, grows stronger, and becomes a very effective climbing hook. While not sharp, like a cactus thorn, these can make pruning a bit tedious, and can draw blood on impatient gardeners.

The plant fruit is ellipsoidal, long, with 5 prominent wings lengthwise. The fruit tastes like almonds when mature. Quisqualis indica is usually dispersed by water. The leaves are simple, elliptical with an acuminate tip and a rounded base. Seeds, when produced, are about 2 inches long and have five ridges and look quite a bit like a small carambola (star fruit).

Quisqualis indica is one of the more difficult plants to propagate. The bloom time is late summer to Mid Fall. It needs full sun to grow properly. It grows well in sandy loam to clay loam soil. The water range is from normal to moist.

The beauty, and mysteries, surrounding this plant have made it a necessity to all gardens. The plant is mainly used for fruits and seeds – alleviate nephritis, used as bechic or pectoral, against ascaris. The leaf juice is a remedy for boils and ulcers; leaves are a relieve ache caused by fever; and the roots helps treat rheumatism. Fruit decoction can also be used for gargling.