What Is Yellow Allamanda?
Yellow allamanda (Allamanda cathartica), also known as the Golden Trumpet is a species of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). Allamanda is native to Brazil where it grows in warm and humid climates in forests. It climbs on anything that is stable enough, to reach the light. The species is grown elsewhere as a pot plant.
Allamanda is a climbing shrub, to 4-6 metres, with white milky sap. The leaves are opposite or 3-5 coroneted, inversely ovate to oblong, 6-15 cm long, 4-5 cm wide, dark green, the underside veins are not raised. Flowers 7-14 cm long, 9-14 cm in diameter, yellow, bell-shaped. Fruits almost globose, 3-7 cm long, with 1 cm long spines.
The scientific name Allamanda is after Frederic Allamand, who was a Swiss botanist and physician, and lived 1736-1803. He corresponded with Linnaeus, who named the genus Allamanda after him. Cathartica means purifying, and refers to the fact that the plant contains strong laxative substances.