Family: Dioscoreaceae
Synonym: Botryosicyos pentaphyllus (L.) Hochst., Dioscorea changjiangensis F.W.Xing & Z.X.Li
Vernacular name: Chaval, Kattukizhangu, Kattunurunnakizhangu, Vellachikizhangu
Habit: Climbing herb
Habitat: Degraded deciduous forests and waste places, also in sacred groves
Distribution: Indo-Malesia and China
Flowering and Fruiting: September-December
Key identification features: Five Leaf Yam is climbing plant, with compound leaves. Tubers are irregular, usually long ovoid, transverse section white when fresh, becoming brown, roots fibrous. Leaves are alternately arranged on the twining stems. Capsule are black at maturity, long ellipsoid, thinly leathery, sparsely hairy.
Uses:
Tubers are used as vegetable occassionally. The
fresh tuber is crushed with water and the paste is applied externally to cure
cuts and wounds.
No comments:
Post a Comment