Gen info
- Dischidia is a genus of plants in the "dog-bane" family, Apocynaceae, collectively known as "milkweeds" (true perennial milkweeds in the Apocynaceae are found in the genus Asclepias).
- Note: The former family Asclepiadaceae (now known as Asclepiadoideae) is considered as subfamily of Apocynaceae and contains 348 genera.
- Apocynaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, stem succulents, and vines, usually known as the dogbane family, because some taxa were used as dog poison. Notable members include oleander, dogbanes, milkweeds, wax plants, and periwinkles. As of 2012, the family comprised some 5,100 species, in five subfamilies: Apocynoideae, Asclepiadoideae, Periplocoideae, Rauvolfioideae, and Secamonoideae. (7)
- As of 2012, the family comprised some 5,100 species, in five subfamilies: Apocynoideae, Asclepiadoideae, Periplocoideae, Rauvolfioideae, and Secamonoideae.
- Most Dischidia grow in arboreal ant nests, of various species, and several having a symbiotic relationship with insects. The plants have even evolved modified leaves to provide housing and/or storage, in exchange of pollination of their blooms. - Dischidia are closed aligned with the genus Hoya, but is poorly known and understudied. (1)
- Dischidia vidalii is a plant in the frangipani family, Apocynaceae, native to the Philippines. Like some other species in the genus, the species has evolved a symbiotic relationship with ants. Its hollow leaves where additional roots grow, are colonised by ants. (4)

Botany
• Dapo-sa-boho is an herbaceous, epiphytic, often-twining, smooth vine usually growing on dead bamboos, with slender, pendulous branches. Leaves are opposite, and of two kinds: the normal - elliptic-ovate to lanceolate, thick and fleshy, 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters long; and the inflated - 4 to 6 centimeters long, 4 to 5 centimeters wide, and usually about 2 centimeters thick, the interior being more or less filled with rootlets from the leaf-axil and with a much smaller, interior ascidium which is usually the domicil of a colony of small black ants. Inflorescence is axillary, solitary, and umbellate, with a peduncle 1 to 2 centimeters long. Flowers number 3 to 8 in each umbel. Calyx is small and green. Corolla is cylindric, red, and about 8 millimeters long. Follicles are slender, and 5 to 7 centimeters long.

• Growth form: Slender climber and epiphyte. Foliage: Thick, fleshy leaves are oval-shaped and light green. There are also modified leaves which form a purse-like pouch filled with roots. Flowers: Bright red to magenta flowers are arranged in clusters known as umbels. The flowers occur in the leaf axils (the space above where the leaf is attached to the stem). (Flora & Fauna Web)

• Kangaroo Pocket is a slender climbing plant with stems producing tiny red flowers and unique bladder like pods developing which open displaying masses of tiny roots. The thick, fleshy leaves are oval-shaped and light green. There are also modified leaves which form a purse-like pouch filled with roots. This inspired the common name. Flowers are bright red to magenta, arranged in umbels. The flowers occur in the leaf axils. Kangaroo Pocket is native to Philippines where it is also found growing on bamboos. (Flowers of India)

Distribution
- Endemic to the Philippines.
- In Culion; in Luzon: Abra, Bataan, Laguna, Rizal, Zambales.
- An epiphyte, found on dead or drying climbing bamboo (Schizostachyum) at low altitudes in Bataan, Rizal, and Laguna Provinces in Luzon.

Properties
- The milky sap is a skin or mucosal irritant. (3)

Parts used
Leaves, stem.

Uses
Folkloric
- Leaves are crushed, salted, and applied externally on a piece of cloth to goiter.
- In northern Samar, decoction of crushed leaves and stems drunk for goiter and earaches: one glassful 2-3 times daily. (5)
Others
- Ornamental cultivation. Suitable for hanging baskets.

Studies
• No studies found.

Availability
Wild-crafted.
Ornamental cultivation.

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)