Green page

On the demand of our esteemed readers we have introduced this column to disseminate information on the introduction of new plants, under-utilized plants and cultivation practices of plants suitable for wastelands and other regions. The information shall be contributed articles by authors or compiled by editors. Contribution of articles by plant growers with cultural practices, seed source and economics are solicited.

Canthium parviflorum: An under exploited carotene rich fruit P. Rajyalakshmi Department of Foods and Nutrition Faculty of Home Science, A.N.G.R. Agricultural University, Hyderabad

Forest as a potential source of 1.5-2.5 cm long, ovate, orbicular or described as common emetic nut. The variety of vitamin A rich foods is not yet obovate. Flowers very small, 0.8-1.5 cm, roots and leaves are astringent, sweet, fully realized as they are neither cultivated white or pale yellow in cymes. Fruit about thermogenic, diuretic, febrifuge, nor marketed. Tribals who inhabit forest 1.5 cm in diameter, oblong-ellipsoid or anthelmintic and tonic. They are useful clad mountains exploit natural plants for compressed drupes, yellow in colour in vitiated conditions of kapha, diarrhoea, their existence. Some of which may be when ripe, two seeded. strangury, leucorrhoea, intestinal worms unconventional and exceptionally rich in Decoction of leaves and roots are and general debility. Fruit pulp beta carotene. Among the 23 forest fruits prescribed in certain stages of flux. astringent, cholagogue, strengthening and of Andhra Pradesh, South India analyzed, Powdered leaves considered useful for an expellant of phlegm and bile. Canthium parviflorum Lam. (Wild diphtheria. Bark and young branches are Carotene value of the fruit (per Jessamine) was found to be the richest used in dysentery in Indo-China. It is also 100g edible portion): carotenoid content source of beta carotene. (mg%), 9.51, beta carotene content Canthium parviflorum a (mg%), 6.10, retinol equivalents (mg%), thorny spinous shrub or small tree belongs 1.02. to family Rubiaceae. A gregarious rigid shrub with 2-5 cm long, stout, straight spines is suitable for hedges. It is distributed throughout India in forests and dry plains chiefly western part of the Indian peninsula from Gujarat and Maharashtra southwards, and in Bihar and Orissa ascending up to 1500 m. Leaves usually crowded on shortened lateral shoots,

70 Natural Product Radiance Vol 2(2) March-April 2003 Green page Himalayan rose root, Rhodiola spp.- Potential health drink and drug plant OP Chaurasia, Basant Ballabh and Brahma Singh* Field Research Laboratory, DRDO, Leh *Emeritus Scientist DIPAS, New Delhi

Rose roots are being used for preparation drug for Indian troops operating under Himalayan rose root, also called of anti-stress and anti-fatigue drinks in multiple stresses. Himalayan stone crop or Rhodiola China and other countries. imbricata Edgew. (Family The delicate shoots of herb are Crassulaceae) is an important medicinal Roots of this plant are useful in cooked for vegetable Tantur by local plant distributed in the arctic and alpine treatment of disorder of the lungs, people in Ladakh. The young herb is regions of America, Europe and Asia. It is infectious diseases like common cold with properly boiled, fried and mixed with also found in Alpine western Himalaya fever, improvement of physical strength, curd. It is said that this preparation from Kumaon to Kashmir. It is locally healing ruptured pulmonary capillaries provides warmth. known as Shrolo in Ladakh region. Its and dispelling bad breath. A decoction of In high altitude and other stressful flowering and fruiting period is between whole herb is used in cough and asthma conditions where armed forces are June and September. It is an erect, in Ladakh and is considered as an deployed, this plant is likely to play an succulent small, perennial herb with important tonic in Tibetan system of important role to relieve stress. The plant lanceolate to elliptic, imbricate, sessile medicine. Defence Research & is being researched upon for its leaves and yellow flowers in terminal, Development Organization (DRDO) properties, propagation at lower altitudes compact, compound corymb. through its Life Sciences Laboratories has and utilization to improve socio-economic taken up a project to develop drink and conditions of cold desert farmers. Himalayan rose root is found growing on rocky slopes and near stones/ Rhodiola imbricata boulders of higher peaks above 4,100 m. in Leh valley and other valleys of cold desert regions of India. Rhodiola has been successfully introduced in the Herbal Garden of Field Research Laboratory, Leh after three-four years trial. Three species Rhodiola imbricata Edgew., Rhodiola heterodonta (Hk. f & T.) A. Boiss. and Rhodiola tibetica (Hk. f & T.) Fu. have been collected and multiplied in the garden. Rhodiola has been propagated through root cuttings. It has been found growing well in lower elevations of Ladakh under partial shade but moist conditions.

Natural Product Radiance Vol 2(2) March-April 2003 71