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Rangoon creeper
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Rangoon creeper

Combretum indicum

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameRangoon creeper
DescriptionEnchanting tropical climbing vine celebrated for its remarkable color-changing flowers that transform from pure white when they open to soft pink and finally deep red as they mature, creating a stunning tri-color display on the same plant. Native to tropical Asia, it features lance-shaped green leaves and clusters of tubular, sweetly fragrant flowers with a jasmine-like scent that intensifies in the evening. This fast-growing liana can reach 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m), thriving on arbors, trellises, and fences while attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with its nectar-rich blooms.
FamilyCombretaceae
GenusQuisqualis
TribeCombreteae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula⊕ ☿ K(5) C(5) A10 G(1)

Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical), bisexual, 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals forming tube, 10 stamens in 2 whorls of 5, 1 carpel with inferior ovary typical of Combretaceae

Features
  • Name 'Rangoon Creeper' from Rangoon (Yangon), Myanmar where it was discovered. 'Quisqualis' from Latin 'quis qualis' (what kind), expressing botanist's uncertainty about classification. 'Madhumalti' from Hindi 'madhu' (honey/sweet) and 'malti' (jasmine).
  • Flowers tubular, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long with 5 petals. Remarkable color change: open white, turn pink, mature to deep red. All 3 colors present simultaneously. Arranged in drooping clusters. Sweet, jasmine-like fragrance intensifies at evening.
  • Woody climbing liana with twining stems. Leaves lance-shaped to elliptical, 2-7 inches (5-18 cm) long, green to yellow-green, opposite arrangement. Young plants shrub-like before developing climbing habit. Deciduous in cooler climates.
  • Size: climbing 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m), can reach 40 feet (12 m) with support. Lifespan 10+ years as perennial. Propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering. Fast-growing, vigorous climber. Blooms spring to fall (year-round in tropics).
  • Native to tropical Asia: Indian subcontinent, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar. Widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions globally. Thrives in warm, humid climates, zones 9-11. Naturalized in many tropical areas.
  • Requires full sun to partial shade (6+ hours sun for best flowering). Prefers rich, well-drained, moist soil. Regular watering beneficial. Moderate drought tolerance once established. Not frost-tolerant. Needs sturdy support structure.
  • Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees. Provides abundant nectar. Used on arbors, pergolas, trellises, fences, walls. Ornamental value from color-changing blooms. Deer resistant. Medicinal uses in traditional medicine (seeds, roots). Fragrant cut flowers.
  • Fertilize monthly during growing season with balanced fertilizer. Water regularly, especially during flowering. Prune after flowering to control size and shape. Provide strong support for heavy vines. Watch for aphids, scale. Relatively low-maintenance.

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCombretum indicum
English (Alternate)Madhumalti, Burma creeper, Honeysuckle, Rangunachavel, Lal Malti, Rangun-ki-bel, Radha Manoharam
Hindiमधुमालती (Madhumalati)
Tamilஇரங்கூன் மல்லி (Irangun Malli), மதுமால்டி (Madhumalati)
Teluguరాధా మనోహరం (Radha Manoharam), రంగున్ మల్లి (Rangoon Malli)
Malayalamയശോദപ്പൂ (Yashodappu), കാട്ടുപുല്ലാനി (Kattupullani)
Kannadaರಂಗೂನ್ ಕೆಂಪುಮಲ್ಲೆ (Rangoon Kempumalle), ಮಧುಮಾಲತಿ (Madhumalati)
Sanskritमधुलिका (Madhulika), मधुमालती (Madhumalti)
Bengaliমাধবীলতা (Madhabilata), মধুমালতী (Madhumalati)
FrenchQuisqualis d'Extrême-Orient
RussianРагоóнская лиáна (Ragóonskaya liana), Квисква́лис инди́йский (Kviskvális indíyskiy)
SpanishQuisqualis
GermanIndischer Wunderstrauch

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.