Basic Information
Species : Hedyotis scandens Roxb.
Local Name : Bokhre lahara, Bakhra kaney (Nep) Kalhrlnok (Lep)
Synonym : Oldenlandia scandens K. Schum.
Family : Rubiaceae
Habitat : A slender woody climber.
Distribution : Distributed from Nepal to Assam.
Sikkim : Gangtok, 5500 ft up to an altitude of 6,000 ft; Padamchen, Gyalshing, Singtam, on the way to South Regu, Namchi to Damthang, Pentong,
Gayzing to Pelling, Soreng to Chakkhung, botanical garden, Rumtek, Naitarn busty, Assam Lingzey, Kabi Forest, Lingthem, Upper
Dzongu, Mangan, Sherethang- 4km from Chungthang near Teesta river, Balwakhani, Lower Burtuk Road, Rumbling; on way from
Rangpo to Namthang, Deorali, Rhenock, Tendong, Kewzing RF.
Out side : Himalaya (Nepal- Bhutan), Meghalaya, Myanmar, China.
General
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Morphological information
Leaves opposite, oblong or elliptic- lanceolate, 2.75- 4.25 inches x 0.65- 1.5 inches, sub- coriaceous. Flowers white, later turning creamy, in axillary and terminal puberulous cymes; capsules small globose.
Flowering : September-December
Fruiting : November-March
History
:
Parts : Root.
Status : Low risk
Medicinal
The leaves of the root plants are eaten; Lepchas also use them as a green dye. The plant is used in eye diseases and troubles following childbirth. The root is used for sprains. The capsules are used in North Bengal for blackening teeth. The plant is also used to cure jaundice and tape worm.
Reference
1. Anonymous (1959). The Wealth of India (Vol. 5). (H-K). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. New Delhi. 16.
2. Progress Report of the Project "Studies on Medicinal Plants of Sikkim" (1998- 2001). State Council of Science and Technology for Sikkim.