Hemidesmus indicus - Indian Sarsaparilla

❏ Binomial Name : Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult.

❏ Synonym : Periploca indica,Hemidesmus wallichii,Asclepias pseudosarsa

❏ Family : Apocynacaeae

❏ Common Name : Indian Sarsaparilla

❏ Tamil Name : Nannari, Nannaari, Suganthipaalaa, Suganthi Paalaa

❏ Hindi Name : Sugandi Pala

❏ IUCN status: Not Evaluated

Hemidesmus indicus Botanical Description

Slender twining undershrubs with woody rootstock; stem brownish. Leaves very variable, opposite or in whorls, often variegated, 3-7 x 0.7-3 cm, elliptic-oblong to linear-lanceolate, apex gradually acute-apiculate, base rounded, thin coriaceous, glabrous on both sides; petiole to 4 mm long. Flowers few, subsessile, in short, axillary cymes. Calyx 1-2 mm long, lobes 5, ovate, ciliolate along the margins. Corolla yellow, c. 8 mm across, 3-4 mm long, rotate, lobes 5, fleshy, triangular. Corona of 5 scales. Stamens 5, anthers jointed at apex, appendaged. Carpels 2, apocarpous; ovules many; styles 2; stylar apex flat, 5-angled. Follicles to 10 cm long, cylindric; coma white. Fl. &Fr.: August-December.

Hemidesmus indicus Medicinal uses

❀ The root of the Hemidesmus plant is demulcent, alterative, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, tonic, anti-pyretic, and blood purifier.

❀ The roots possess a combination of sweet and mild bitter taste and are included in various kinds of drinks and beverages.

You can also add your pictures in this website. What you can do is send your pictures along with the information contain where and when you took to this given mail id flowersoftamilnadu@gmail.com Thank You

If you have any comments about the site or the pictures, good or bad, we'd like to hear from you. Please do comments!