Morphological information

Tubers variable, Bulbils numerous, irregular in shape 2.5 cm or more across brown, warted. Stem twining to the left. Leaves usually alternate, about 10- 15 by 7.5- 10 cm often much larger or smaller, ovate, acuminate, base more or less deeply cordate, lobes rounded, 7- 11 nerved. Male spikes 5- 10 cm long, clustered axillary clusters of 2 5.Capsule 1.8- 2.2 cm long, oblong. Seeds winged at the base.

Flowering              : June- September

Fruiting                 : September-November

History                 :

Parts                    : Tuber.

Status                  : Endangered in wild.

 

Phytochemistry

Isolation and structure determination of furanoid norditerpenes- disobulbinosides D and F- from tubers; disobulbins D, E, F, G and H isolated and their structures elucidated; a new dihydrophenanthrene (2,4,6,7- tetrahydroxy-9, 10- dihydrophenanthrene, I) and a new phenanthrene (2,4,5,6- tetrahydoxy-phenanthrene), in addition to diosbulbins B, D and D- sorbitol isolated from rhizomes.

 

Ayurvedic

The tuber is bitter, pungent; fattening tonic, alternative, aphrodisiac, stomachic, anthelmintic; useful in dyspepsia, urinary discharge, leucoderma, bronchitis, vata biliousness, piles, tumors, strangury.

Unani

The tuber has a sharp bitter taste expectorant, astringent to the bowels; useful in asthma, bronchitis, and pain in abdomen.

 

Others

The tubers are applied to ulcers after being dried and powdered. In the plains of the Punjab, the leaves are used medicinally and sold under the name of totar puttr. It is also used in piles and dysentery.

 

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