Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

34
Asclepiadaceae
Oxystelma esculentum (L.f.) R. Br.
English name: Rosy-milkweed.
Local name: Sindhi-Ak phulri, Anaee, Ewni, Wanverhi, Urdu-
Dudhi, Dudhia
latar, Punjabi-
Gani.
Description:
A perennial, slender, lacticiferous climber with milky juice. Leaves linear narrow,
arise in pair at each node. Flowers with a white or rose corolla marked with purple
veins.
Flowering Period:
July-September.
Habitat:
Found throughout plains and lower hills, also common in
“Kacha” forest climbed over Tamarix (Lai) species.
Uses:
Flowers are eaten (as fruit). Decoctions of all parts are
used against cancer; fresh roots are prescribed in
jaundice. Decoction of herb is used as gargle in
infections of throat and mouth. Roots are used in
Hepatitis.
Distribution:
Pakistan, India, Burma, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Iraq and
Egypt.