Common Name: Elephant creeper. Tamil Name: Akaya-p-puritam
Elephant creeper is native to India, it is large creeper/liana found near forest edges. This specimen was photographed from Borevelli hills in Mumbai. The branches are pubescent and have white hairs. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner; the leaf margin is entire. The lower surface of leaf has prominent whitish hairs which gives it a silvery look. The upper surface of the leaf is green and glabrous. The leaves are cordate at base, orbicular-ovate in shape and have an acute tip. The leaf stalk measure around 7.5 cm; the leaf measurers around 15 cm and the leaf across measure around 14 cm. The inflorescence is in the form of an axillary cyme. The flowers are protected by 3-4 white colored bracts; they measure around 4 cm and have a crenate margin and are oval in shape. The flowers are purple in color and loudspeaker shaped. The flower measure around 6 cm across. The fruit is in the form of a capsule. The name elephant creeper refers to the large roundish shaped leaves. The seeds contain high concentration of hallucinogenic chemicals. In Ayurvedic medicinal systems the roots are used for making brain tonic.
