Maerua oblongifolia

Maerua oblongifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Brassicales
Family:Capparaceae
Genus:Maerua
Species: M. oblongifolia
Binomial name
Maerua oblongifolia
Forssk. (A.Rich.)
A Maerua oblongifolia being sold at the thindi beedi (food street), V.V. Puram, Bangalore.

Maerua oblongifolia (syn. Maerua arenaria, Niebhuria arenaria) is a low woody bushy under-shrub sometimes scandent to 2–3 meters high, with a thick root stock and thick leaves, and strongly scented flowers, occurring in India, Pakistan, Africa and Saudi Arabia.

Selling Bhoochakra gadda root small round pieces

The root of the plant resembles licorice in appearance and taste and said to possess alternative, tonic and medicinal properties.[1]

The root of this plant, which tastes like coconut pulp, is edible and is eaten with sugar. In Telugu this plant is called by name Bhoochakra gadda (In Telangana) and Bhoochakra dumpa (In Andhra). Tribes harvest this tuber in summer. The tuber is medicinal and is eaten to quench thirst. Traditionally, the fleshy roots of this plant is used as alternative tonic and stimulant. The plant is also used for treatment of Snake bite and Scorpion sting [2]

References

  1. ↑ Encyclopaedia of world medicinal plants, Volume 1 - By T. Pullaiah
  2. ↑ K.R.Kirthikar, P.D Basu, "Indian Medicinal Plants", The Indian Press, Allahabad, p 101, (1918)


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