Pata root, Raj patha
Cyclea peltata

Family: Menispermaceae

What it is like

A slender twining shrub. It can climb tall trees. It has tubers. The leaves are alternate and heart shaped. They are 3-10 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The flowers are pale yellow. They are in groups in the axils of leaves. The fruit are oval and fleshy. They are brown or red.

It is used as medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tubers are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. CAUTION: It contains an alkaloid cycleine. This is used in medicine.

Edible parts

Tubers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Gwedauk-hmwe-sok, Kruamanoi, Mothi pahadvel, Paachi, Pada-kelengu, Para, Paduvala balli, Patakkilannu, Phalani, Raj patha, Thorali padval

Synonyms

Clypea burmanni (DC.) Wight & Arn.; Cyclea arnottii Miers; Dioscorea peltata Burm.f.; and others