Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Dioscorea hispida Dennst.

 

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Synonym: Dioscorea daemona Roxb., Helmia daemona (Roxb.) Kunth

Vernacular name: Bolkande, Podava-kizhangu, Podukkilangu, Venni

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Semi-evergreen forests

Distribution: South and South East Asia

Flowering and Fruiting: September-October

Key identification features: Intoxicating Yam is a twining vine, arising from tuberous roots. Flowers are borne in panicles in leaf-axils. Male flowers arise in dense clusters; Female spike solitary. Stems are twining to the left, hairless. Leaves are alternate, 3-foliolate. Capsule long ellipsoid densely velvet-hairy.

Uses: Tubers are used to kill worms in wounds. Various plant parts are used in whitlow, sores, boils, and bites of rabbit, jackal or dog. The tubers are used for birth control.




No comments:

Post a Comment

Blechnum orientale L.

  Family : Blechnaceae  Habit : Subshrub Habitat : Wet tropical biome Distribution :   Western Australia and Southern Asia Flowering...