Badiera oblongata

Badiera oblongata Britt.

Synonym: Polygala oblongata

Common Names: Dragum, Strip Me Naked

Family: Polygalaceae

Habit: Badiera oblongata grows as a shrub to 4 m in height.  The trunk to 20 cm in diameter.  The leaves are arranged alternately, to 8 cm in length, oblong with an retuse to emarginate leaf apex and entire margin.

The zygomorphic, perfect flowers are arranged axillary in groups.  The calyx has 5 whitish green, unfused, sepals. The corolla has 5 whitsh green petals with the lower 2 forming a keel. There are 6 stamens located within the keel. The ovary is superior with 2 locules.  The fruit is a winged capsule at maturity that is oval in outline. The seed is blue with a red aril at its base.

Habitat: Badiera oblongata grows in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Shrubland (coppice- scrubland).

Distribution: Badiera oblongata occurs on all island groupings within the Lucayan Archipelago as well as Cuba.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Badiera oblongata has been used medicinally in the Bahamas to treat gastrointestinal issues (Constipation, induce vomiting).