Blyttia spiralis

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A woody twiner. The roots are tubers. The leaves are 1-4 cm long by 6-18 mm wide. The flowers are a dull purplish-green. The fruit follicles are 5-8 cm long by 8 mm wide. The seeds are 4.5 mm long.

It is used as medicine.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It grows in dry sandy places and along seasonal streams. It grows in dry savannah areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Kenya, Mali, Middle East, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, West Africa

How it is used for food

The sweet tubers are peeled and eaten.

Edible parts

Tuber, root, follicle

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ambarvel, Kauathodi, Shigaroti, Shvetakavali, Vanveri

Synonyms

Asclepias spiralis Forssk.; Pentatropis cynanchoides R.Br.; Pentatropis spiralis (Forssk.) Decne; and others