Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

275
Asparagaceae
Asparagus dumosus Baker
English name: Asparagus.
Local name: Sindhi- Achhi Musli, Urdu-
Safed Musli.
Description:
An erect, intricately branched, spiny shrub up to 1m high. Leaves very small, scaly,
bearing short, needle-like ternate cladodes in their axils. Flowers 5-6 mm in
diameter. Ripe berries red in color, 1-3 seeded. The plant reproduces both by seeds
and rhizomes.
Flowering Period:
April to September depending upon moisture availability.
Habitat:
Xerophytic, found in sandy and rocky places.
Uses:
Roots are used as alterative, antidiarrhoeatic,
antispasmodic, antidysyntric, diuretic, demulcent and
refrigerant. Root is used chiefly as a demulcent in
veterinary medicine.
Distribution:
Endemic to Pakistan.