India Rubber Vine, Purple Allamanda

Frost Tolerance: Tender in Phoenix, grow in protected area

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: Madagascar

Growth Habits: Twining vine or shrub, fast growing to 12 feet tall (3.6 m), plant 4 to 6 feet apart (1.2 to 1.8 m)

Watering Needs: Keep the soil constantly moist

Propagation: Seeds

The India Rubber Vine originates from Madagascar and was formerly grown there and later in India to produce a poor quality rubber latex. The Rubber Vine is poisonous it contains glucosides interfering with the heart, and ingesting with provoke stomach and intestinal upset. When trimming wear gloves since the sap is very irritating to the skin, and discard what you trimmed rapidly, because the dust from dried plants is also irritating.

Blooming Habits:
The Rubber vine has large, showy, white to lilac flowers with a broad funnel-shaped tube and five spreading lobes. The tubular portion is sometimes tinged with red. Flowers are about five cm across.

Culture:
Fertilize in spring.

Links:
Tropica Mango Nursery