Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W.J. de Wilde

 PASSIFLORACEAE
 Modecca palmata Lam.
 Adenia palmata (Lam.) Engl.

Vernacular names:
Kannada           - Kempu chendu hannina balli
Malayalam        - Modecca, Muthukku, Palmothakku
Sanskrit            - Vidari

 

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A 1 c,d) - KA & KL
Lower Risk near threatened - TN

Habit: Tuberous climber

Habitat: Moist.deciduous to semi-evergreen forests

Altitude: 450 - 1000 m

Distribution: Global: Western Ghats of southern India and Sri Lanka. National: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Regional: In Maharashtra, reported only from Nanapani (Amboli) and Bhedsi. It is seen almost throughout the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: Large climbing shrubs with prominent tubers. Tubers robust, in different shapes, usually larger, 10-50 cm long, 5-20 cm broad, greenish white inside. Tendrils arise in leaf axils and bear flowers. Stems swollen at nodes. Leaves alternate, palmately 3-5 lobed, broadly egg­shaped in outline, 10-18 x 8-20 cm, base heart-shaped, 3-5-nerved from the base, with 2 glands just at the base and another 2 glands seen above them; lobes elliptic to oblong-Ianceolate, apex acute-acuminate, margin entire, shiny, hairless; leaf stalks up to 8 cm long. Flowers unisexual; male flowers many and female flowers solitary or few, arranged in axillary cymes, greenish yellow, 1 cm long, 1.5 cm across. Capsules globose or ellipsoid, 3-5 x 2-4 cm, orange-red when ripe, splitting into 3 valves, with leathery rind. Seeds numerous, egg-shaped or kidney­shaped, flat, covered with membranous white aril.

Phenology: Flowering: March to May; Fruiting: June to November

Medicinal uses: This species has been used as medicine since the 17th century. Tubers are reportedly poisonous. It may be an adulterant or an unauthorised substitute. The roots are reportedly used as Ayurvedic plant drug Vidari. Local people near Agumbe (Karnataka) use the tubers for treating hernia.

Trade information: Local and regional. Known as Mutukku or Karimutukku in Kerala. It is sold in the market as Vidari.

Mode of propagation: By tubers, seeds and stem cuttings

Special characters: This is a climbing shrub with irregularly shaped, conspicuous tubers, which are sometimes partially exposed. Glands below the leaves are distinct, circular, stalkless and greenish. Tendrils bear flowers. Petals with dissected tips. Capsules are stricking orange­yellow in colour.