Wrightia antidysenterica (L.) R.Br.

Melati antidisentri (Wrightia antidysenterica) is a shrub up to 1.5 meters tall from the Apocynaceae family that originates from Sri Lanka, popular as an ornamental plant as well as a valuable medicine in India. Its bark juice is used to treat canker sores, while its leaves are used to address skin disorders such as psoriasis. Melati antidisentri is also believed to be effective in treating gut motility disorders.

Melati antidisentri grows at elevations of 10-1,800 m asl at temperatures of 12-34 °C. This plant prefers fertile, well-drained soil with an average annual rainfall of 1,200-2,500 mm, in full sun or partial shade. Maintenance requires pruning.

• Roots taproot.
• Stem solid round, woody, branching near the ground.
• Leaves green, ovate to elliptical, oppositely arranged, about 2.5-6 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm wide, pinnate venation, smooth margin.
• Flowers emerge from the stem tip, white and fragrant, 5 petals with a yellow center, about 2.5 cm wide, corolla tube very slender and about 2-2.5 cm long.
• Fruit a pod-like follicle.

Propagation by seed, stem cuttings, and layering.

2-aminobenzoyl O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside, two new megastigmane glycosides (wrightiaionosides A and B), four benzoxazinoid glycosides, one indole diglycoside, three simple aromatic glycosides, three megastigmane glycosides, five flavonoid glycosides, and one lignan.

Has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, used in treating dysentery, canker sores, fever, diarrhea, worms, skin disorders, psoriasis, nonspecific dermatitis, astringent, and antipyretic.

Melati tempel.