Common Name: Chay root Tamil name: Chaayar ver
Oldenlandia is genus under family Rubiaceae and consists of 240 species world-over. They are generally herbs, with simple opposite leaf arrangement; flower have 4 petals which are generally white or pink. The fruit is in the form of a capsule. The Chay root plant is commonly seen in Western ghats areas, also on ghat roads and fallow lands. The plant is mostly erect some times found prostrate. The leaf are sessile, linear with acute tip. The inflorescence is in the form of a umbellate cyme which may be axillary or terminal. The flowers are tubular and white in color with four petals. The flower has 4 stamens and a bifid style. The fruit is in the form of a capsule. The flowers measure around 3 mm acros. The plant is extensively used in traditional medicinal practices: especially for the treatment of asthma. A red color dye is extracted from the roots of the plant-namely Chay root dye.
