East Indian screwtree
Helicteres isora L.
Helicteres isora L. is a small tree or large shrub belonging to the Malvaceae family. It is commonly known as the East Indian screwtree and is native to southern Asia and northern Oceania. The plant is characterized by its red flowers, which are primarily pollinated by sunbirds, butterflies, and Hymenoptera. Historically, the bark fibers were used for making rope and sacks, while today the fruits and roots are utilized in traditional medicine.
Description
Helicteres isora is distributed across several regions including India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. It was first described in 1753 by Linnaeus. While typically classified in the Malvaceae family, it has occasionally been placed in Sterculiaceae. The plant has been the subject of taxonomic discussion, with type specimen designations being revisited in botanical literature. Its ecological and historical uses reflect its significance in both natural and human systems.
Other common names
East Indian screwtreered isoraspiralbush
Distribution
MU · Andaman Is. · Bangladesh · Cambodia · China South-Central · Hainan · India · Laos · Malaya · Maluku · Myanmar · Nepal · Pakistan · Sri Lanka · Thailand · Vietnam
Synonyms
Ixora versicolorHelicteres chrysocalyxHelicteres grewiifoliaHelicteres macrophyllaIsora corylifoliaHelicteres roxburghiiHelicteres ovata var. isora-murriHelicteres ovata var. fructus-regisHelicteres grewiaefoliaHelicteres baruensis var. ovataIsora grewiaefoliaHelicteres isora var. microphyllaHelicteres isora var. glabrescensHelicteres isora var. tomentosa