Common Name: Maloo Climber, Camel’s foot climber.
Maloo climber is one the largest climbers in the world, commonly seen in forested areas in the foothills of Himalayas. It can climb over surrounding vegetation and grow to several meters long. The stem of this plant can reach 20 cm in diameter and can strangle other trees and vegetation around. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 15 cm and 22 cm respectively. Two curved tendrils are seen opposite to the leaf. The leaves are large and broad; the leaf tip is split; with the split running down as much as 1/3 the length of the leaf. The base of the leaf is cordate. The flowers are in the form of terminal corymbs. The flowers measure around 4 cm across and have 5 white petals. The petals change color to cream as they age. The flower has three fertile stamens. The fruit is in the form of a pod which is flat woody and rusty in color. The seeds of the plant are edible. The leaves are stitched to make plates. Maloo climber is one of the most harvested (among forest plants) plants in India. This plant was photographed from Nilgiri Biospere Reserve, Annaikatti in Coimbatore district. Maloo climber is the one of larval host plant for Plains cupid butterfly (source https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/)
