Flora of the Nilgiris

Habit : A large liana.

Habitat and Distribution : Occasional, upto 1100m. Tropical and South Africa, Sri Lanka, India to China, Malaysia to Australia.

Indigenous Information : Small bird 'sitiki paki' collects the nectar. Seeds are made into a paste with water and cumin. The mixture is boiled and brought to half its original volume. This is used to relieve chest pain. The paste of the seeds is applied on the right side of the abdomen to cure pain in the stomach. A pinch of the kernel powder is added to omelets with small onions and coconut oil. This cures pain in the joints.

Other relevent information : Seeds are cooked and eaten.

Field Tips : The thick stems are spirally twisted and angled.

 

No Comments »

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

CAPTCHA Code

Names:

English : Ladynut, Mackary Bean
Irula : Manga kodi
Tamil : Yanaikozhinji, Irikki
Hindi : Gila
Malayalam : Kaka valli

Flower:

In axillary pendulous spikes, cream. Flowering from April-June.

Fruit :

A pod, elongated, jointed, flat, woody. Seeds 10, ovoid, compressed, hard. Fruiting from June onwards.