Marsdenia tenacissima

(Roxb.) Moon

Rajmahal hemp

Apocynaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves

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Summary

Marsdenia tenacissima is a climbing vine reaching 10 m long with hermaphroditic flowers. It tolerates light sandy, loamy, or heavy clay soils, including nutrient-poor conditions, across mildly acidic to alkaline pH ranges. Grows in semi-shade to full sun and prefers moist soil.

Description

A vine. It is hairy. The leaves are heart shaped and taper to the tip. They are 8-10 cm long by 6-7 cm wide. The flowering shoots are much branched and have many flowers.

Edible Uses

No edible uses are known for this plant.

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses are known for this plant.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows on cliffs at about 1,500 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Thrives on poor land.

Propagation

Propagated by seed.

Other Uses

A very strong fibre obtained from the bark of young shoots is used for making rope and cord. The stems yield fibres reputedly among the strongest produced by any plant. A latex derived from the coagulated milky sap of the stem can be used in the same manner as India-rubber. The wood is moderately hard.

Synonyms

Asclepias tenacissima Roxb.Pergularia tenacissima (Roxb.) D. Dietr.and others

Also Known As

Adhiri, Chanahur

References (3)

Kahlon, L. K. & Singh, R., 2019, Traditional knowledge & Dynamics of edible plants of primitive tribal group ‘Paudi Bhuyan’ with changing demography migration patterns in Northern Odisha. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol 18(1), pp 7-15
McClatchey, W. C., 2012, Wild food plants of Remote Oceania. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81(4) 371-380
Pandy, R. K. & Saini, S. K., 2007, Edible plants of tropical forests among tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1), pp 185-190