Ampelocissus indica
(L.) Planchon in J. Vigne Amer. 8: 375. 1884;
Shetty & P. Singh in Taxon 37: 169. 1988. Vitis indica L., Sp. Pl. 202.
1753; M. Lawson in Fl. Brit. India 1: 653. 1875. Ampelocissus arnottiana
Planchon in DC. Monogr. Phan. 5: 379. 1887.
Kan.: Huttige balli, Palkanda; Mal.: Chembravalli; Tam.: Sambravalli.
Slender climbing shrubs; branches terete striate, ferruginous-woolly. Leaves simple, broadly ovate, sometimes angled, 10-30 x 8-20 cm, acuminate at apex, cordate at base, dentate-serrate at margins with the teeth hardened at tip, coriaceous, glabrescent above, ferruginous tomentose beneath; petioles 2-8 cm long. Inflorescences dense racemes of umbels, 3-5 x 1 cm, peduncles up to 9 cm long; tendrils simple, ca 10 cm long; primary branch of inflorescence ca 1 cm long. Flowers ca 2 mm long, reddish brown; pedicels ca 2 mm long. Calyx saucer-shaped, truncate, glabrous. Petals incurved at apex, ca 2 mm long, glabrous. Stamens ca 1 mm long. Disc elongate, covering most of ovary, 5-furrowed. Ovary ca 1 mm across, glabrous; stigma sessile, concave. Berries globose, ca 1 cm across. Seeds suborbicular in outline, ca 7 x 5.5 mm, mucronate at base; adaxial surface with a longitudinal ridge and a broad groove on either side; abaxial surface with an elliptic chalazal knot from which very fine fissures radiate towards margin.
Fl. & Fr. : June - Feb.
Distrib. India : Evergreen forests of western Ghats from Konkan southwards. Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Sri Lanka.
Notes. Chromosome Number 2n=40 [Vatsala, P. in La Cellule (Louvain) 61; 193-205. 1960-sub "Ampelopcissus arnottiana"].
Uses. The juice of the roots mixed with coconut kernel is employed as a laxative and blood purifier; it is also considered an alterative and diuretic. The juice of the roots mixed with oil is used in eye diseases and mixed with coconut milk is applied to ulcers. Fruits are said to be sweet and palatable.
Slender climbing shrubs; branches terete striate, ferruginous-woolly. Leaves simple, broadly ovate, sometimes angled, 10-30 x 8-20 cm, acuminate at apex, cordate at base, dentate-serrate at margins with the teeth hardened at tip, coriaceous, glabrescent above, ferruginous tomentose beneath; petioles 2-8 cm long. Inflorescences dense racemes of umbels, 3-5 x 1 cm, peduncles up to 9 cm long; tendrils simple, ca 10 cm long; primary branch of inflorescence ca 1 cm long. Flowers ca 2 mm long, reddish brown; pedicels ca 2 mm long. Calyx saucer-shaped, truncate, glabrous. Petals incurved at apex, ca 2 mm long, glabrous. Stamens ca 1 mm long. Disc elongate, covering most of ovary, 5-furrowed. Ovary ca 1 mm across, glabrous; stigma sessile, concave. Berries globose, ca 1 cm across. Seeds suborbicular in outline, ca 7 x 5.5 mm, mucronate at base; adaxial surface with a longitudinal ridge and a broad groove on either side; abaxial surface with an elliptic chalazal knot from which very fine fissures radiate towards margin.
Fl. & Fr. : June - Feb.
Distrib. India : Evergreen forests of western Ghats from Konkan southwards. Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Sri Lanka.
Notes. Chromosome Number 2n=40 [Vatsala, P. in La Cellule (Louvain) 61; 193-205. 1960-sub "Ampelopcissus arnottiana"].
Uses. The juice of the roots mixed with coconut kernel is employed as a laxative and blood purifier; it is also considered an alterative and diuretic. The juice of the roots mixed with oil is used in eye diseases and mixed with coconut milk is applied to ulcers. Fruits are said to be sweet and palatable.
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