Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme

NTFP Product Database

Product Details

Koda gaasu PRODUCT NAME

Gloriosa superba Linn.   SCIENTIFIC NAME

Common Name: Koda gaasu  
Local Name: Koda gaasu (Kurumba); Tamil-Kalaippaik Kilangu, Kannuvalik kodi; Hindi-Kalihari; Marathi-Kallavi; Gujarati-Dudhirachnag; Bengali-Bishalanguli; Telugu-Adavinabhi; Kannada-Agnisikke; Malayalam-Medoni; Pa-Agnishikka. 
Family: Liliaceae
Other Species of Same Genera:
Product Description: A climbing herb. Flower: Solitary. At first green in colour, turning yellow to orange and scarlet to crimson. Fruit: Ellipsoid ovoid capsule. Seeds many, globose, dorsally compressed warry. Stem leafy. Difficult to locate the plant, conspicuous only during the monsoons especially when in flower. 
NTFP Classification: Exudates and extracts, Medicinal, aromatics and cosmetics, Ornamental plants 

DISTRIBUTION

Countries Found: India 
Description: Found in the plains from the coast to 500 (1000) m, climbing on hedges. Fire prone areas 

USES AND PARTS USED

Parts Used: roots 
Uses: Tuber is also ground, mixed with and applied to the stomach of little children to make them fair
Origin:
Management Practices: Miscellaneous: This important medicinal plant, used an antidote for snake poison, is in demand commercially. In the Nilgiris roots are collected by traders for Rs. 15/- per kg. Over collection of tubers for alkaloid extraction has endangered this plant. The tuber is poisonous, when in consumed in high doses. Colchicine is the important alkaloid extracted from the seed and used in modern medicine. It is also the state flower of Tamil Nadu. Both Kurumbas and Irulas use the tuber for treating stomach disorders and snake bites. 
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