Moullava spicata

Moullava spicata is an endemic species of creeper found in the Western Ghats of India.

Moullava spicata
Scientific classification
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M. spicata
Binomial name
Moullava spicata
(Dalzell 1851) Nicolson 1980[1]
Synonyms

Wagatea spicata Dalzell 1851

Description

As follows:[2][3][4]

  • It is a robust woody climber, having recurved prickles on its branches.
  • Leaves - compound, bipinnate, 23–30 cm long with 4 to 6 pairs of pinnae, each 7.5 to 12 cm long, and having 5 to 7 pairs of oblong, coriaceous and dark-green leaflets on each pinna. The main rachis is armed with prickles.
  • Flowers - sessile in dense spicate racemes reaching 60 cm long; the rachis is grooved with soft hairs, armed with prickles.
  • Corolla - has 5 petals, inserted on top of the calyx-tube, obovate-spathulate, dark orange. 1 cm long, doesn't open fully.
  • Calyx : scarlet,
  • Androecium : has 10 stamens.
  • Fruit - a linear oblong pod, swollen above the seeds and constricted between them.
  • Seeds - 3 to 4, oblong, hard, bony.

Natural history

M. spicata is a creeper endemic to the moist deciduous and semievergreen forests of the Western Ghats.[3][5] The creeper flowers and fruits from October to May.[5] The flowers are frequented by birds and insects.

Uses

The seed of M. spicata yields an oil used for burning in lamps.[3]

Local names

Local names in the different ranges of the Western Ghats are:[2]

  • English: Candy Corn plant
  • Marathi: Wagati वागाटी, Wakeri वाकेरी
  • Tamil: Okkadikkodi, Pulinakkagondai
  • Kannada: ಗಜ್ಜಿಗಾಬಲ್ಲೀ Gajjigaballi

References

  1. "Moullava spicata". International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS) via The Plant List.
  2. "CandyCorn Plant". Flowers of India. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  3. P. Setu Madhava Rao, ed. (January 1961). Maharashtra State Gazetteer, Botany, Part III - Miscellaneous Plants. General Series Volume A (2 ed.). Mumbai: Maharastra State. p. 168.
  4. Shrikant Ingalhallikar (November 2001). Flowers of Sahyadri. Pune: S. Ingalhallikar. p. 79.
  5. Sardesai, Milind; Govekar, Ravikiran; Yadav, SR (2013). Field Guide to the Plants of Sahyadri and Konkan. Pune: Forest Department, Government of Maharashtra. p. 153.
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