Flora of the Nilgiris

Habit : An armed shrub.

Habitat and Distribution : Plains from the coast to 100m. India, Himalaya, south east Asia, Malaysia, Australia, Polynesia.

Indigenous Information : Bees forage mainly for pollen. Carpenter bees have been observed foraging on the flower. Roots are medicinal. Young fruits are cooked and eaten.

Other relevent information : The root is an important ingredient of the well known ayurvedic medicine, Dasamoola.

Field Tips : Prickles on branches and leaves.

 

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Names:

Irula : Gulakai, Sundaka, Mullu sundai

Flower:

In extra-axillary cymes, purple. Flowering peaks from December-March and from July-September.

Fruit :

A berry, globose, variegated green, ripening yellow. Seeds many, smooth, circular. Fruiting throughout the year.