Curculigo orchioides

Curculigo orchioides (commonly called golden eye-grass, xian mao, weevil-wort, कालो मुस्ली (in Nepal) black musli, Kali musli, or Kali Musali) is a flowering plant species in the genus Curculigo. It is native to Nepal, China, Japan, the Indian subcontinent, Papuasia, and Micronesia. The species has been reported also from islands such as Guam and New Caledonia.

Description

A small herb with grass like leaves. It grows from a tuber or corm. The leaves are large and sword shaped. They are folded like a fan. The flowers are yellow and small. They are star like. They are produced just near the ground. The fruit is a pale green berry.

Edible Uses

The tubers are cooked and eaten.

Traditional Uses

The root tubers are cooked and eaten. They are also used for the preparation of drinks.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The rhizome is used in traditional medicine throughout the plant's range and is especially valued in Chinese medicine as a general tonic and restorative, particularly for the decline of physical strength. It is described as a bitter-tasting, mucilaginous herb with adaptogenic, analeptic, androgenic, anticonvulsive, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative, tonic, and uterine tonic properties, and it also stimulates the immune system. Pharmacological studies have identified medically active compounds including saponins and glycosides. Curculigosaponins C and F significantly promote the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes; saponins F and G increase the weight of the thymus; and curculigoside exerts immunological and protective effects. Internally, the rhizome is used to treat peptic ulcers, piles, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, asthma, jaundice, chronic nephritis, diarrhoea, lumbago, and headache. Externally, it is applied to skin diseases. The rhizomes are washed, freed from roots, sliced, and dried in the shade. The dried slices are typically powdered and a small amount mixed into a glass of milk with sugar, or used to prepare a decoction for drinking. Swelling of the tongue has been reported as a side effect after drinking a decoction; the recommended antidote in China is a decoction of Rheum tanguticum with sodium sulphate.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In Papua New Guinea it grows mostly below 1,000 m altitude. It occurs in open grassland at low and medium altitudes in the Philippines. In southern China it grows on open grassy slopes from near sea level to 1,600 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Marianas, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Succeeds in humid tropical and subtropical areas and can be cultivated outdoors in warm, essentially frost-free temperate areas. Prefers a humus-rich, fertile, well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade. The rhizomes may reach 30 cm x 11.5 cm. Only 3 - 5 leaves are found on the plant at a given time. The flowers and fruits are inconspicuous because they are close to the ground and partially covered by the bracts and leaves.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe. The rootstock can also be divided, and offsets can be used.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Notes

There are 10 Curculigo species. It is used in medicine.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Black musale, Kaki musli, Kali musli, Kanyut-net, Kenda, Kuluthupokie, Mushali, Mutha-li, Nelatati-gadde, Nelatatygadda, Nela tengu, Nilappanai, Sha-wel, Sukui kita, Tala nuli, Toloangi, Wan prao

References (22)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 151
• Arinathan, V., et al, 2007, Wild edibles used by Palliyars of the western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1) pp 163-168
• Aryal, K., Moe, A.T., Hein, P.P., Bay, Y.H.S., Htay, T., Aung, H.W., Shakya, B., Xuefei, Y., Shaoliang, Y. , 2020, Wild and non- cultivated edible plants and their contribution to local livelihoods in Putao, Myanmar. ICIMOD.
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 713
• Chandrakumar, P., et al, 2015, Ethnobotanical studies of wild edible plants of Gond, Halba and Kawar tribes of Salekasa Taluka, Gondia District, Maharashtra State, India. International Research Journal of Pharmacy 6(8)

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