Volume 5 > Part 3 > Year 1991 > Page 363 > Menispermaceae > Tinospora

2. Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook.f. & Thomsonwfo-0001228223

Fl. Ind. 1: 183. 1855; Gagnep. in Fl. Gén. I.-C. 1: 132. 1908; Craib in Fl. Siam. En. l: 64. 1925, pro parte; Crevost & Pételot, Bull. Econ. Indoch. n.s. [-1929, n. 199: 30 with tab. & f. 1929; Forman, Kew Bull. 36: 394, f. 3A–C. 1981; ibid. 39: 113. 1984; in Fl. Males. I. 10: 194, f. 7 a–c. 1986; Kew Bull. 43: 405. 1988.— Menispermum crispum L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 1468. 1763. Plate XXIV: 30.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Woody climber, up to ca 15 m, entirely glabrous; stems becoming veryprominently tuberculate, containing an exceedingly bitter milky sap, producing very long filiform aerial roots. Leaves broadly ovate to orbicular, 7–14(–25) by 6–12(–24) cm, base deeply to shallowly cordate, apex usually long-acuminate, very thinly papyraceous, domatia usually absent, although a flat pocket sometimes present in axil of basal nerves beneath; petiole 5–15(–30) cm. Inflorescences not appearing with the leaves, arising from the older leafless stems, often a few together, pseudo-racemose, very slender. Male inflorescences (5–)9–20 cm long, flowers in 1–3-flowered fascicles. Male flowers on filiform pedicels, 2–4 mm; sepals pale green; outer 3, ± ovate, thickened at base, 1–1.5 mm long; inner 3 obovate, unguiculate or acute at base, 3–4 mm long; petals 3, only the outer whorl usually developed (sometimes 1–3, reduced inner petals present), narrowly oblanceolate, flat, lacking papillae, 2 mm long; stamens 6, 2 mm long. Female inflorescences 2–6 cm, with flowers mostly arising singly along the axis. Female flowers: sepals and petals as in male; staminodes 6, subulate, scarcely 1 mm long; carpels 3, ellipsoidal, 2 mm long; stigma very shortly lobed. Infructescences (from Assam and Myanmar specimens) bearing lateral peduncles, 1.5–2 cm, terminating in a subpyramidal, 2–3 mm long, carpophore, below which usually persist reflexed ovate sepals, 2 mm long. Drupes orange, ellipsoidal, 2 cm long (when fresh); endocarp whitish, ± ellipsoidal, 11–13 by 7–9 mm, surface obscurely rugulose or almost smooth, with a conspicuous dorsal ridge and with a small elliptic ventral aperture; condyle deeply intrusive into seed-cavity.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Doi Chiang Dao, Doi Suthep, Mae Malai, Huai Kaeo, Doi Saket, Fang); NORTH-EASTERN: Mae Khong River, Nakhon Phanom; EASTERN: Ubon Ratchathani (Bung); CENTRAL: Saraburi (Sam Lan), Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok); SOUTH-WESTBRN: Kanchanaburi.

Distribution : Assam to Cambodia also S China, Malaya, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas (cult. – type) and the Philippines. Often cultivated for medicinal uses.

Ecology : In secondary vegetation in disturbed forests, in mixed deciduous forests and village hedgerows, at low altitudes. Flowering: late January–May; fruiting: April and May. Leaves present during the rainy season April–May to November–December.

Vernacular : Boraphet (บอระเพ็ด)(Central).

Uses: The plant is widely used medicinally for various conditions. An infusion prepared from the stem is used to treat fevers, jaundice, cholera and malaria; an infusion from the stem or root is used to treat worms in infants. Crushed dried stems mixed with fodder is used in N. Thailand to fatten cattle by stimulating their appetite. The alkaloids present in this species are discussed by BISSET& NWAIWA, Planta Medica 48: 275-279. 1983.