False calumba, Yellow vine
Coscinium fenestratum

Family: Menispermaceae

What it is like

A vine or woody climber. The leaves are leathery and shiny. It has a bright yellow sap. The fruit occur as 1 or 2 fleshy fruit 2 cm across.

It is used as medicine. Due to over-harvesting it is an endangered species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the Western Ghats in India. It grows in deciduous and evergreen forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

It is used as a bitter tonic.

Edible parts

Caution, medicine, flavouring

How it is grown

In India it flowers and fruits August to October. Plants can live for 25 years.

Its other names

Local names

Colombo weed, Daru haridra, Haem herb, Mara manjal, Tree turmeric, Vor romiet, Weniwel

Synonyms

Coscinium maingayi Pierre; Coscinium miosepalum Diels; Coscinium peltatum Merr.; Coscinium usitatum Pierre; Coscinium wallichianum Miers; Coscinium wightianum Miers ex Diels; Menispermum fenestratum Gaertn.;