''Maerua oblongifolia'' (syn. ''Maerua arenaria'', ''Niebhuria arenaria'') is a low woody bushy under-shrub sometimes scandent to 2–3 meters high, with a thick root stock and thick leaves, and strongly scented flowers, occurring in

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and

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. In

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

this plant is known as Bhoochakra gadda (In Telangana) and also as Bhoochakra dumpa (In Andhra). In

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

this plant is called Poomicchakkarai Kizhangu (பூமிச் சர்க்கரைக் கிழங்கு). This is a tuber that naturally grows in areas closer to fountains, especially in hills. Local Tribes and others collect the tubers, which are then sold in many Indian town and cities as a quick street food. Bhoochakra gadda (YS)

Uses

The root of the plant resembles licorice in appearance and taste and said to possess alternative, tonic and medicinal properties. The root of this plant, which tastes like coconut pulp, is edible and is eaten with sugar. The tuber is medicinal, and is used in Indian traditional medicine such as

Siddha medicine Siddha medicine is a form of traditional medicine originating in southern India. It is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India. In rural India, have learned methods traditionally through master-disciple relationships to become loca ...

, and is also eaten raw to quench thirst. Traditionally, the fleshy roots of this plant are used as alternative tonic and stimulant. The plant is also used for treatment of snake bites and scorpion stings.

Doubts

The root is brought to the shops in a very secretive manner, in that where it is either collected or obtained is kept secret. There are doubts amongst botanists as to whether the described plant is ''Maerua oblongifolia''.

References

External links

oblongifolia Plants described in 1775 Root vegetables {{Brassicales-stub