Volkameria inermis aka Embrert

Volkameria inermis is an evergreen shrub. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its native range spans tropical and subtropical parts of Asia. It extends to the western Pacific. It grows on beaches and by rivers with tides. It also grows at mangrove edges, by inland rivers, and in swamps. These sites lie in lowlands, below about 328 feet [100 metres]. The plant grows in wet tropical climates.

The shrub has a loose shape. Its stems sprawl or climb through nearby plants. As a shrub, it reaches about 8–10 feet [2.5–3 metres]. With support, its climbing stems can reach 43 feet [13 metres]. The long stems twine through other plants. Main stems can reach about 2.4 inches [6 centimetres] across. The plant keeps its leaves all year. They are thick, fleshy, and very bitter. The flowers have a strong scent. The sources give no clear details on flower colour. They do not clearly describe the fruit's form.

In gardens, this plant grows best in a sunny spot. It can grow on beaches and withstand salt spray. Wild plants favour sand but also grow in clay. Its ability to cope with salt helps in coastal gardens. The sources give no rating for how much cold it withstands. They give no firm guide on how to water it. Wet wild sites alone do not show its garden water needs. Gardeners in tropical areas grow it for hedges and looks. Dense growth can cover dunes. Its sprawling stems help hold sand in place.

People gather wild plants for use in local medicine. They also grow the plant for this use, including in India. Folk remedies use both the roots and leaves. People have used root preparations for fever and stomach complaints. They have boiled roots in oil and rubbed this onto painful joints. These folk uses do not prove that the treatments work. The flowers also serve as a source of perfume. Useful Tropical Plants cites studies that report action against some fungi. These studies also report action against some plant pathogens, or germs. They do not prove that it works as a general garden treatment. Nor do they show that the plant resists disease.

Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food uses for this species. It reports no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. The evidence does not show if people or pets can safely eat it. It names no pests or diseases that affect garden plants. Growers can raise new plants from seed or softwood cuttings. They can also take cuttings from partly mature stems or roots. Another method is to split off suckers.