Coated swallow-wort, Few flowered cynanchum
Cynanchum tunicatum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb. It grows 1-2 m long. The stems are slender. It contains milky sap. The leaves are oval and 5-7 cm long. They have a heart shaped base and taper towards the tip. The leaf stalk is 2-3 cm long. The flowers are cream to pink and 6-8 mm long. The petals are oblong. The fruit are seed pods 5-6 cm long. They are sword shaped.

There are about 150 Cynanchum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in poor soils in drier places at altitudes from 50 to 1200 metres.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

CAUTION: Many Cynanchum are poisonous. The young leaves are used as a relish.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chagul-pati, Kang-koombala, Panchali

Synonyms

Cynanchum pauciflorum R. Br.;