Withania coagulans
(Stocks) Dunal
Indian rennet, Indian cheese-maker
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(c) MRN, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by MRN
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Dr. Ghulam Sarwar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaWithania coagulans ( Sanskrit: ऋष्यगंधा, Rishyagandha; Urdu: پنیر بوٹی, Paneer booti; پنیر ڈوڈا, paneer doddi; تخم حیات, tukhme hayat; Tamil: Panneer ilai chedi, Hindi: पनीर के फूल, Paneer phool, Pashto: شاپیانگا/مخازور) is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family, native to Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent. Within the genus Withania, W. somnifera (Ashwagandha) and W. coagulans (Paneer doddi/Ashutosh booti) are economically significant, and are cultivated in several regions for their use in Ayurveda. It is claimed to help control diabetes. The berries contain a rennet-like protease that can be used to clot milk for cheese production. The plant is prone to leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata.
Description
A branched shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The shoots are rigid. The leaves are 3-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and wedge shaped at the base. They are leathery. The flowers have both sexes. The fruit is a round berry 10-12 mm across. It is red. The seeds are 2.5 mm wide. They are kidney shaped.
Edible Uses
The berries are used to coagulate milk and prepare soft cheeses, and may be eaten raw. The leaves and fruit are used for herbal drinks.
Traditional Uses
The berries are used to coagulate milk and to prepare soft cheeses. The leaves and fruit are used for herbal drinks. The fruit are also eaten raw.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. In Pakistan it grows in dry hot stony places up to 1,700 m altitude.
Where It Grows
Afghanistan, Asia, Himalayas, India, Iran, Middle East, Nepal, Pakistan,
Other Information
It is sold in local markets.
Notes
There are about 10 Withania species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Akri, Ammukkura, Asgandhas, Asgandh nagori, Ashvagandha, Ashwgandhas, Asvagandhi, Bajja, Jangly chana, Khamjaria, Khamzora, Paneer, Panir-band, Panir, Panneru-gadda, Punir, Shapyanga, Spin
References (7)
- Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 690
- A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 13(1):685. 1852
- Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
- Khalid, N., et al, 2023, Wild food plants gathered by four cultural groups in North Waziristan, Pakistan. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 70:1243–1276
- Majeed, M., et al, 2021, Gathered Wild Food Plants among Diverse Religious Groups in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan. Foods 2021, 10, 594.
Show all 7 references Hide references
- Samuels, J., 2015, Biodiversity of Food Species of the Solanaceae Family: A Preliminary Taxonomic Inventory of Subfamily Solanoideae. Resources 2015, 4. 277-322
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
