Cayratia pedata(Lam.)
Juss. ex
Gagnep. varglabraGamble
VITACEAE
Vernacular names: (for C. pedata)
Kannada - Kaama pattige balli
Malayalam - Velutta sori valli
Marathi -
Gorpadvel
Sanskrit -
Suvaha
Tamil - Pannikkodi, Tiripatakam, Kattu pirandai
Telugu - Gummadi tige
Threat status:
Critically
Endangered (B2b,d) - Globally
Habit:
Climber
Habitat: Semi evergreen to evergreen forests
Altitude: 800 - 2200 m
Distribution: Endemic
to
southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional:
In Kerala,
reported only from Palakkad forest in Silent Valley, where it is
locally common. In Tamil Nadu, collected only from Nilgiris. It
may possibly occur in the high ranges of Anamalais and
Kodaikanal hills. Not available in Karnataka.
Description:
A large
but week climbing shrub completely hairless. Tendrils
leaf-opposed, branched, wiry, coiled. Leaves alternate, pedately
5-7 foliolate, hairless; leaf stalks 2-7 cm long;
terminal leaflets
elliptic
to egg-shaped-Ianceolate, 5-12 x 3-6 cm, base rounded or acute,
apex acuminate, margin toothed with saw-like teeth, stalk 1-2 cm
long; lateral
leaflets
2.5-9 x
1.5-5 cm, base unequal, stalk up to 1 cm long. Flowers
bisexual, hairless, greenish yellow or yellowish white, about 3
mm across, placed on about 10 cm long branched, axillary
corymbs. Berries globose, about 1 cm across,
creamy white. Seeds 1-2, flat, semicircular,
smooth.
Phenology: Flowering & Fruiting:
March to
August
Notes:
It can be
a possible adulterant or potential substitute to the typical
variety. Of high conservation concern due to its endemic nature
and narrow distribution range.
Medicinal uses:
The whole
plant of C. pedata (excluding the roots) has low diuretic
activity and has been a reputed remedy for cough, bronchitis,
asthma, joint pain and to check uterine reflexes.
Trade
information:
The whole
plant (fresh /green) was priced at Rs.2.70/Kg. (Kerala, 1993).
Mode of
propagation:
By stem
cuttings and seeds
Special
characters:
This plant is
totally hairless with pedately lobed leaves.
