Calycopteris floribunda, commonly known as Ukshi,is a large climbing
shrub which is 5-10 m long, with vines that are about 5–10 cm in
diameter, the stem and leaves are said to havemedicinal properties.
Ukshi is found extensively in the low-lying tropical evergreen forests
of the Western Ghats. These are also found in "Kavus" or the Sacred
Groves of Kerala.
It bears grey bark and tenuous branches with thick fluff on the
surface. The keratinous leaves, ovoid or oval, are 5–12 cm long. New
branches are hairy and rust coloured. The flowers occur in dense
clusters are the end of branches. The bracts of the small flowers are
ovoid or oval, with thick fluffs on the surface. Petals are absent and
the 10 stamensare arranged in 2 cycles.
The fruit inception bears 1 ventricle and 3 pendulous ovules inside.
The fluffy sham-winged fruit, which is about 8 mm long, has 5 edges
and 5 persistent calyxes which enlarges intothe fluffy wing 10–14 mm
in length. The sepals are prominent, hairy and green.
[edit] Uses
Ukshi is revered as a life-saver by the forest dwellers who regularly
depend on this vine during summer when streams dry up. Sections of the
vine store water, which people often use to quench their thirst.
The leaves are bitter, astringent, laxative, anthelmintic, depurative,
diaphoretic and febrifuge. They are useful in intestinalworms, colic,
leprosy, malarial fever, dysentery, ulcers and vomiting. The fruits
are useful in jaundice,ulcers, pruritus and skin
diseases.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&sl=auto&tl=en&hl=en
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