Vella Thumbai PRODUCT NAME
Mussaenda hirsutissima Hutch. = Mussaenda frondosa L. var. hirsutissima Hook. SCIENTIFIC NAME
| Common Name: | Vella Thumbai |
| Local Name: | Vella Thumbai (Kurumba); Tamil-Karunthayarai. Vellaiyalai; Hindi-Badina; Marathi-Bhatkes; Bengali-Nagballi; Kannada-Billoothi; Malayalam-Parthole. |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Other Species of Same Genera: | |
| Product Description: | A large hirsute shrub Flower: Solitary, orange brown Fruit: A berry turning black when mature. Seeds many, compressed, pitted Leaves hirsute above and densely villous below. Flower has a hairy mouth, with a prominent white leaf-like sepal. Miscellaneous: Flowers eaten as herb. Food plant of the Commander Butterfly. Flowers are frequently distorted by insects. |
| NTFP Classification: | Medicinal, aromatics and cosmetics, Feed, fodder and fuelwood |
DISTRIBUTION
| Countries Found: | India |
| Description: | 1200-1600m. Found along shola borders. Prefers forested hilly tracts and exposed slopes. Locally abundant. Peninsular India, along the Western Ghats and parts of the Eastern Ghats. |
USES AND PARTS USED
| Parts Used: | leaves, leaflets roots |
| Uses: | White leaf like bract crushed and juice used as eye drops, especially during the last months of pregnancy, when blurring of vision may occur Root used as remedy for stomach disorder. Root and shoot mixed to prepare an anti-venom decoction |
| Origin: | |
| Management Practices: | |
| Market Information: | |
| Partners: | Keystone Foundation |
PARTNERS INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES CONCERNING THIS NTFP
| Duration: | |
| Activity: | |
| External Links: |
