Gymnema inodorum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A climbing shrub or creeper. It can grow 10-25 m long. The leaves are broadly oval and 4-14 cm long by 2-9 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 2-6 cm long. The flower petals are yellow and covered with small hairs. The follicle is 8-16 cm long by 3 cm wide. It has a small beak.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae. The leaves are used for treating diabetes and gout.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in thickets and secondary forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

It is widely used as a medicinal vegetable in north Thailand.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kalalaki-ti-du-gep, Lo[ax] ti, Phak chiang da, Sayor pepe, Uta mata, Voe toahs

Synonyms

Cynanchum inodorum Lour.; Ganosma inodora Lour. ex Decne.; Gymnema syringifolium (Decne.) Boerl.; Gymnema tingens Roxb, ex Spreng.; Parsonsia inodora (Lour.) M. R. Almeida & S. M. Almeida;