Indian sarsaparilla
Hemidesmus indicus

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrubby twining plant or climber. It has a woody rootstock and long whip-like stems. These are thickened at the nodes. The leaves are simple, long and narrow. They are 5-10 cm long by 0.8-1.8 cm wide. The flower stalks are covered by many bracts. The fruit is a long dry pod. It is 10-15 cm long by 0.6 cm wide. The seeds are 6-8 mm long.

There is only one Hemidesmus species. It has also been put in the family Asclepiadaceae and Periplocaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Sri Lanka it grows below 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The roots are the source of a syrup used as a flavouring in foods in place of sarsaparilla. They are used in tea and soft drinks. The root bark is powdered and used as a coffee drink. The young leaves are used to prepare a drink. They are also cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Roots - flavouring, tuber, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anantmool, Anantmul, Anantvel, Arakkam, Aritinviyachi, Iramusu, Khaprilbela, Khobarjadiwel, Nannari, Nunnery root, Paala tiga, Parukia, Raigadi, Sogade beru, Subudi, Uparsul

Synonyms

Periploca indica L.;