Common Name: Indian Kudzu. Tamil Name: Karikkummati
Indian Kudzu is a large climber found along deciduous forest areas of Western Ghats. It is a strong climber with a tuberculated stem and can spread over nearby vegetation’s and grow to more than 15 meters in length. The trifoliate leaves are arranged in an alternative manner; the leaves are ovate in shape. The plant profusely flowers during March-April months (around Anaikatti forest in Kerala); long racemes (more than 15 cm in length) containing several pea shaped purple flowers are seen. The plant remains in a leaf-less condition when flowering. The flowers are fragrant; the flower stalk and flower measure around 3 mm and 2 cm respectively. The fruit is a pod which measure around 5-7 cm; and contain 1-2 seeds. The tuberous root of the plant is much valued in Ayurvedic medicinal systems. The root extract is used as an aphrodisiac and as a general tonic. The plant is often harvested un-sustainably from the wild and hence becoming rare.
