- Calycopteris floribunda
Taxobox
name = "Calycopteris floribunda"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Myrtales
familia =Combretaceae
genus = "Calycopteris "
species = "C. floribunda"
binomial = "Calycopteris floribunda"
binomial_authority = (Roxb.) Lam."Calycopteris floribunda", commonly known as Ukshi, is a large climbing
shrub which is 5-10 m long, withvine s that are about 5–10 cm indiameter , the stem andleaves are said to have medicinal properties. Ukshi is found extensively in the low-lyingtropical evergreen forests of theWestern Ghats . These are also found in "Kavus" or theSacred Grove s ofKerala .It bears
grey bark and tenuousbranch es with thick fluff on the surface. The keratinous leaves, ovoid or oval, are 5–12 cm long. New branches are hairy and rust coloured. Theflower s occur in dense clusters are the end of branches. Thebract s of the small flowers are ovoid oroval , with thick fluffs on the surface.Petal s are absent and the 10stamen s are arranged in 2 cycles.The
fruit inception bears 1ventricle and 3 pendulousovule s inside. The fluffy sham-winged fruit, which is about 8 mm long, has 5 edges and 5 persistent calyxes which enlarges into the fluffy wing 10–14 mm in length. The sepals are prominent, hairy and green.Uses
Ukshi is revered as a life-saver by the forest dwellers who regularly depend on this vine during summer when streams dry up. Sections of the vine store water, which people often use to quench their thirst.
The leaves are
bitter ,astringent ,laxative ,anthelmintic ,depurative ,diaphoretic andfebrifuge . They are useful in intestinal worms,colic ,leprosy ,malarial fever ,dysentery ,ulcers andvomiting . The fruits are useful injaundice ,ulcers ,pruritus andskin diseases .External links
* [http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Ukshi.html Flowers of India - Ukshi]
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