Morphological information

Flowers solitary, terminal, short-stalked, greenish and relatively inconspicuous, with 4- 6 lanceolate long-pointed green leaf-like perianth-segments 5-10 cm and with an inner whorl or thread like yellow or purple segments, as long or shorter than the outer. Stamens 0, short; stigmas lobed. Leaves 4- 9 in a whorl, elliptic short-stalked, to 10 crn; rhizome stout, creeping. Fruit globular; seeds scarlet. Plant shows wide variations in different parts of its range.

Flowering                              : April-May

Fruiting                                 : April-May

History                                  :

Parts                                    : Rhizome and fruits.

Status                                 : Vulnerable

Phytochemistry

Saponins A, B and C isolated from tubers along with diosgenin monoglucosides; saponin C characterized as diosgenin- 3-0-α-L-rhamnopyranosyI (1→4) β-D-glucopyranoside; saponin A composed of diosgenin, glucose and rhamnose (Indian 3. Chem. 1972, 10, 377); structure of pariphyllin, mp. 2940 (saponin B) established (Indian J. Chem. 1972, 10, 589); three new steroid glycosides- diosgenin-3-0-α-rhamnopyranosyl(l→2)[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (I→4)]- β- D-glucopyranosid (I), mp 276 degree, diosgenin- 3- 0- L- rhamnopyranosyl-  (1→4)- α- L- rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)- α- L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2) β- D-glucopyranoside (II), mp. 203 degree and pregna 5, 16-dien- 20- one-3-0-β-chacotrioside(III), mp 260 degree isolated along with dioscin (Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1973, 21, 1240 ).

 

Medicinal                           : Rhizome anthelmintic and tonic and has a depressant action on carotid pressure, myocardium and respiratory movements.

 

Traditional                        :  A part of a fruit is swallowed without chewing to improve immune system.

 

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