Diplocyclos palmatus
(L.) C Jeffrey
Striped cucumber, Native Bryony
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Summary
Source: WikipediaDiplocyclos palmatus is a vine in the family Cucurbitaceae. It is commonly known as native bryony or striped cucumber. In Marathi, it is called shivlingi due to its seed which resembles a lingam.
Description
A herb. It is a pumpkin family plant. It is a slender climbing plant with angular stems. The stems are weak but the lower part can be somewhat woody. It can climb to 2-4 m high. The stems are angular and grooved. The rootstock is fleshy. The leaves have 3 or 5 lobes divided like fingers on a hand and are 10-15 cm wide by 6-17 cm long. There are fine teeth on the top edges of the leaves and the leaves are angular. The leaves are rough on top but smooth underneath. The leaf stalks are 3-9 cm long. The stem has tendrils which have 1 or 2 branches. Flowers are small and yellow or green. Male and female flowers are separate but often together near a leaf. Often one or two female flowers are surrounded by several male flowers. The fruit is 4 cm long and green with pale streaks along it. The leaves and stems give off a bad smell when damaged.
Edible Uses
The leaves are eaten cooked. Young fruits are occasionally cooked and eaten, though they require thorough cooking.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are eaten, cooked. CAUTION The fruit are claimed to be poisonous. It is considered to be poisonous in Australia, but is eaten in India and Nepal. It probably needs to be well cooked. The young fruits are occasionally cooked and eaten.
Medicinal Uses
The roots are used as an antivenom The fruits and leaves are used to cure stomach-ache. The stems are used as an expectorant. The fruits are used as a laxative. The seeds are febrifuge.
Known Hazards
The fruits are claimed to be poisonous. Considered poisonous in Australia, though eaten in India and Nepal after proper cooking. Because of its poisonous components, its use as food should probably not be encouraged.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It occurs on the coast in Papua New Guinea and grows up to about 1000 m above sea level. It Africa it grows to 1,830 m above sea level. It needs a well drained soil and can grow in a sunny or partial shady position. The plant also grows in Africa, India, Malaysia, China and Australia. There are a couple of subspecies. It can grow in arid places.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Central Africa, China, Congo, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, North Africa, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.
Propagation
Seed - best sown fresh with the pulp removed. Stem cuttings.
Other Information
A reasonably common wild creeper in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and many tropical countries. Leaves are used in the Gazelle Peninsula. Because of its poisonous components, its use as a food should probably not be encouraged.
Notes
The seeds are used as medicine in Nepal. There are 3-5 Diplocyclos species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Aattupudal, Ba-da, Ban kakra, Bankarela, Ghungarubhaji, Kavdoli, Kongakonga, Korek kotok, Kuniyanchappu, Lollipop climber, Luongluan chan-vit, Mahadevpind, Malaipusanni, Shanker-vel, Shivlingi, Sivalingakkai, Sivalingi, Tendu, Uvakandasopu
References (43)
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