Leptadenia pyrotechnica

Leptadenia pyrotechnica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Leptadenia
Species:
L. pyrotechnica
Binomial name
Leptadenia pyrotechnica
Synonyms
  • Cynanchum pyrotechnicum Forssk.
  • Sarcostemma pyrotechnicum (Forssk.) Schult.
  • Microloma pyrotechnicum (Forssk.) Spreng.
  • Periploca pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Spreng. ex Decne.
  • Leptadenia spartum Wight
  • Leptadenia gracilis G.Don
  • Leptadenia jacquemontiana Decne.
  • Gymnema spartium (Wight) Wall.
  • Microloma angustifolium Buch.-Ham. ex Hook.f.

Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Hindi: खींप; Punjabi: ਖਿੱਪ) is the botanical name of a desert herb of the family Apocynaceae. It is widespread from Senegal to India. It is known as khimp in Hindi and Urdu, and khipp in Punjabi.

Being highly drought-resistant, Leptadenia pyrotechnica has played an important role in the desert afforestation programs. The herb khimp is a strong soil binder and, as such, is one of the pioneer species in sand dune fixation.