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Family Asclepiadaceae
Kalipkip
Dischidia purpurea Merr.

Scientific names Common names
Dischidia purpurea Merr. Kalipkip (Tag.)
  Talokop (S. L. Bis.)

Gen info
Dischidia is a plant genus in the Milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae, comprising about 80 known species which all grow as epiphytes, native to tropical areas of China, India, and most areas of Indo-China. (1)

Botany
Kalipkip is an epiphytic, herbaceous, creeping vine found on erect tree trunks, and rooting at every node. Leaves are fleshy and leathery, flattened against the supporting tree trunk, and the hollow spaces occupied by colonies of ants. Leaves are in pairs, opposite, stalkless, rounded, 3.5 to 5 centimeters in diameter, deep purple, and smooth. Inflorescence is axillary, on slender stalks, and 4 centimeters long. Flowers, produced from the tips of the branches, are few, 4 to 4.5 millimeters long, pink to white, and smooth throughout. Sepals are think, ovate, and 1 millimeter long. Corolla is urceolate, membranous, 3 millimeters in diameter and 4 millimeters long; its lobes triangular, pointed and 1 millimeter long.

Distribution
- Endemic species found on trees in forests at medium altitudes, ascending to 1,200 meters in Cagayan, Apayao, Pangasinan, Bataan, Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Provinces in Luzon; in Samar, Leyte, and in Mindanao.

Parts used
Leaves.

Uses

Folkloric
- In Laguna Province, crushed leaves are applied externally as a poultice.
- Also, leaves cooked in coconut oil, made into a pomade for herpes and eczema.

Studies
No studies found.

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Last Update August 2014

IMAGE SOURCE: / Photo / Apocynaceae : Dischidia purpurea det. Derek D. Cabactulan 19-Oct-12 / Dischidia cf. purpurea; abaxial view of ascidiate leaf / Copyright © 2012 by P.B. Pelser & J.F. Barcelona (contact: pieter.pelser@canterbury.ac.nz) [ref. DOL57077] / Non-Commercial Use / click on image to go to source page / Phytoimages.siu.edu
Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Dischidia / Wikipedia

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