Moullava spicata

Moullava spicata is an endemic species of creeper found in the Western Ghats of India.

Moullava spicata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Caesalpinioideae
Tribe:
Caesalpinieae
Genus:
Moullava
Species:
M. spicata
Binomial name
Moullava spicata
(Dalzell 1851) Nicolson 1980[1]
Synonyms

Wagatea spicata Dalzell 1851

Description

As follows:[2][3][4]

  • It is a robust woody climber, having recurved prickles on its branches.
  • Leaves - compound, bipinnate, 23–30 cm long with 4 to 6 pairs of pinnae, each 7.5 to 12 cm long, and having 5 to 7 pairs of oblong, coriaceous and dark-green leaflets on each pinna. The main rachis is armed with prickles.
  • Flowers - sessile in dense spicate racemes reaching 60 cm long; the rachis is grooved with soft hairs, armed with prickles.
  • Corolla - has 5 petals, inserted on top of the calyx-tube, obovate-spathulate, dark orange. 1 cm long, doesn't open fully.
  • Calyx : scarlet,
  • Androecium : has 10 stamens.
  • Fruit - a linear oblong pod, swollen above the seeds and constricted between them.
  • Seeds - 3 to 4, oblong, hard, bony.
  • Bipinnate leaves
  • Inflorescence
  • Fruit
  • Seeds

Natural history

M. spicata is a creeper endemic to the moist deciduous and semievergreen forests of the Western Ghats.[3][5] The creeper flowers and fruits from October to May.[5] The flowers are frequented by birds and insects.

Uses

The seed of M. spicata yields an oil used for burning in lamps.[3]

Local names

Local names in the different ranges of the Western Ghats are:[2]

  • English: Candy Corn plant
  • Marathi: Wagati वागाटी, Wakeri वाकेरी
  • Tamil: Okkadikkodi, Pulinakkagondai
  • Kannada: ಗಜ್ಜಿಗಾಬಲ್ಲೀ Gajjigaballi

References
  1. "Moullava spicata". International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS) – via The Plant List.
  2. "CandyCorn Plant". Flowers of India. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  3. P. Setu Madhava Rao, ed. (January 1961). Maharashtra State Gazetteer, Botany, Part III - Miscellaneous Plants. General Series Volume A (2 ed.). Mumbai: Maharastra State. p. 168.
  4. Shrikant Ingalhallikar (November 2001). Flowers of Sahyadri. Pune: S. Ingalhallikar. p. 79.
  5. Sardesai, Milind; Govekar, Ravikiran; Yadav, SR (2013). Field Guide to the Plants of Sahyadri and Konkan. Pune: Forest Department, Government of Maharashtra. p. 153.
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