Green milkwood climber
Dregea volubilis

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb or vine. Leaves are oblong and narrow to a point. They are rounded at the base. They are 6-11 cm long by 4-7.5 cm wide. The leaf stalks is 3-6 cm long. The flowers are in the axils of leaves in groups. They are 5-9 cm long. The fruit are in dry sacs. The fruit are 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. The seeds are yellow and oval and flat.

It is also used in medicine. Chemical composition (after Paton & Dunlop) (grams per 100g): Protein = 14.62g. Fat = 7.60g. Carbohydrate (soluble) = 41.08g. Fibre = 23.50g. Ash = 4.50g. Water = 8.70g. Calories = 299.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry evergreen forest in north Thailand. In India it grows in all kinds of soils at altitudes up to 2,000 meters. It is being grown as a microgreen. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kashmir, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten in curries but also cooked. They are boiled and drained. The flowers are cooked as a vegetable. They are fried. The ripe fruit is eaten. The seeds are eaten. The root is eaten.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, fruit, roots, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or from stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Akar lilin hijau, Ambri, Chiri, Cotton milk plant, Doda, Dodi, Dudhipaala, Dugdhika, Dugdhike, Gharphul, Hemajivanti, Hirandodi, Jukti, Kadvishir, Kamal, Khamal-lota, Kharkhodi, Kiri-anguna, Kodipalai, Kra thung maabaa, Ku cai, Kurinja, Ku teng, Madhumalati, Malati, Ma ying mei, Milkwid hijau, Nak-chhikni, Nan shan teng, Oriya, Pagaiwuonu, Pa men, Perunkurinchan, Phundi, Shendri, Sneeze wort, Thei-kel-ki, Titakunga, Titta-anguna, Vattakkakkakkodi

Synonyms

Asclepias volubilis Linnaeus L. f.; Dregea formosana T. Yamazaki; Hoya formosana T. Yama-zaki; Hoya viridiflora R.Br.; Griff.; Marsdenia volubilis Cooke; Tylophora macrantha Hance; Wattakaka volubilis (Linnaeus f.) Stapf.; and others