T.KANEESHANTHTRINCOMALEE CAMPUS,EASTERN UNIVERSITY,

SRI LANKA.

Common characters

• Most species are annual or perennial herb• The stems are 5 angled and have coiled tendrils.• The leaves are usually alternate and sloped.• Flowers are unisexual.•The male part usually have 5 stamns.

Corallocarpus epigaeus

Akasakarudan

Natural order – Cucurbitaceae

Science name - Corallocarpus epigaeus

Varnacular name :

Tamil name – AkasakarudanSinhala name – GopalangaSanskrit name – SukanasaEnglish name – Bryomus

Identifying Characters

Leaves • Variabe in shape and size usually2-10 cm long .

Flowers• Dull yellow or greenish yellow• Unisexual• Size nearly 4-15 cm• Blooming Dec - Mar

Fruits• Red in colour• Size 12-15 cm

Tree 4 m height

No of seeds - 6 - 9

Habitats • Kaithady, pointpetro, alaveddy, kodikamam in jaffna district.• India - Karnadaka

Parts used • Tuber

Medicinal value• Cure various ailments related to digestive tracts like indigestion,constipation,abdominal pain, dysentery and typhoid.

•It is also used to cure skin deseases like wounds,tumors,boils

•Root is specially useful in symphilitic cases, old venereal complaints, chronic dysentery.

•Tuber of this plant has antirespiratory, anticancer and antimalarial properties

Chemical Constituents• Trace amount of alkaloids

Reference • Wikipedia • encyclopedia

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