''Operculina turpethum'' (syn. ''Ipomoea turpethum'') is a species of plant in the
morning glory family, known commonly as turpeth, fue vao, and St. Thomas lidpod.
It is perennial, herbaceous, and hairy
vine
A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themselv ...
growing 4 to 5 meters in length, endemic to
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
. It is commonly found in the North Circars and Deccan region up to 3000 ft. The leaves are alternate, very variable in shape, ovate, oblong and truncate or cordate at the base. The flowers are large, axillary, and solitary. The fruit is a capsule with conspicuous enlarged sepals and thickened pedicles.
It is actually not a purgative but a mild laxative.
References
External links
* Contains a detailed monograph on Operculina turpethum (Trivrit), as well as a discussion of health benefits and usage in clinical practice. Available online at http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/337-trivrit
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3595168
Convolvulaceae