Common Name: Bhoca Indian redwing. Tamil Name: Kokkimull, Karu indu
Bhoca is native to the Indian subcontinent and is seen in deciduous forest ranges of Peninsular India. It is a large well armed straggling liana which can grow to more than 6 meters. The branches are cement colored, young branches are purple in color and lenticulate. The stem of the plant has several recurved prickles. The leaves are bi-pinnate. Young leaflets are rusty in color and the margins are entire. Each leaf consists of 5 pinnae and the axis ends in a pair of leaflet. At the base of each leaflet a pair of purple colored recurved thorns are seen. The main leaf measure around 11 cm in length. Each pinnae has about 8 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are elliptic in shape, near sessile, obovate in shape, with a cuneate base and measure around 1 cm in length. The inflorescence is in the form of a raceme which is either axillary or terminal. The flower buds are pinkish in color, the flowers are white in color with a dash of cream color. The fruit is in the form of a samara. The fruit stalk measure around 1 cm. The samara contains a single seed which is attached to a bright red winged structure. Bhoca is an attractive plant, mass flowering is seen around April-May months. The nectar and pollen rich flowers are much sort after by bees. The plant is even more attractive during the fruiting season-wherein vast stretches of forest areas are painted in red (color of the fruit).
