Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta

 

Family: Costaceae

Synonym: Costus speciosus (J.Koenig) Sm., Banksea speciosa J.Koenig

Vernacular name: Aanakoova, Channakoova, Malavayambu, Narumchanna, Nuchanna

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, also in the plains

Distribution: Indo-Malesia

Flowering and Fruiting: July-October

Key identification features: Rhizome tuberous, highly branched, with oblong leaves, sparsely hairy lower surface, and terminal spikes bearing white flowers. Capsule bright red, dehiscing loculicidally, with black seeds.

Uses: Tender shoots are eaten as vegetable. Rhizome juice is used as medicine for treatment of Jaundice. The stem which is rich in water can be used as a source of water.



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