Moullava spicata explained

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

Description

As follows:^{[1] [2] [3]}

• 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.

Natural history

Moullava spicata is a creeper endemic to the moist deciduous and semievergreen forests of the Western Ghats.^{[2] [4]} The creeper flowers and fruits from October to May.^[4] The flowers are frequented by birds and insects.

Uses

The seed of M. spicata yields an oil used for burning in lamps.^[2]

Local names

Local names in the different ranges of the Western Ghats are:^[1]

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: CandyCorn Plant. Flowers of India. 11 March 2018.
2. Book: Maharashtra State Gazetteer, Botany, Part III - Miscellaneous Plants. P. Setu Madhava Rao. January 1961. 2. General Series Volume A. Maharastra State. Mumbai. 168.
3. Book: Flowers of Sahyadri. Shrikant Ingalhallikar. November 2001. S. Ingalhallikar. Pune. 79.
4. Book: Field Guide to the Plants of Sahyadri and Konkan. Sardesai. Milind. Govekar. Ravikiran. Yadav. SR. 2013. Forest Department, Government of Maharashtra. Pune. 153.