Cadaba fruticosa
(L.) Druce
Indian cadaba
iNaturalist· cc0
no rights reserved, uploaded by Ajit Ampalakkad
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Rama Aadhithan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaCadaba fruticosa is a species of plant in the family Capparaceae. It is endemic on Indian Subcontinent: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Indo-China: Myanmar. Its habitat includes the dry parts of the Gangetic plain, down through the Vindhya range, to Deccan thorn scrub forests South India. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is known from Pakistan and Bangladesh to the Gangetic plains, south to Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana. It is found in Rayalaseema, central and eastern parts of Karnataka and south to Tamil Nadu, west to rainshadow regions around Palakkad and Punalur. In Tamil Nadu, Cadaba fruticosa is known as '"vizhuthi"(Tamil: விழுதி (viļuti)) and used in Siddha medicine for more than 2000 years. The juice of the leaves is especially used to cure gonorrhoea (Tamil: வெண்மேகம் (věṇmēkam)).
Description
A climbing shrub. It grows 5 m tall. The leaves are alternate and oval with rounded tips. The flowers are in groups at the end of branches. The flowers have 4 petals. The fruit are cylinder shaped and leathery.
Edible Uses
The leaves are made into soup with added flavourings, and the fruit are pickled with lime juice.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are made into a soup and flavouring added. The fruit are pickled with lime juice.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Used in medicine with potential anticancer activity.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka,
Notes
It is used in medicine. It has potential anticancer activity.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Dabi, Habal, Kali taykay, Kodhab, Piluka, Vizhudhi
References (2)
- Prachi, K., et al, 2012, Underutilized wild fruits of North Maharashtra. Journal of Research in Plant Sciences. (2012) 1:071-076
- Tamil herbs, 2007, Edible Plants of the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest.
