''Scindapsus officinalis'' is a species of flowering plants in the
Araceae family. The species is native to the
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
and
Indo-China.
The plant has local names such as pipul, gajpipul, and tiakathal.
Description
The species is a large climbing
liana
A liana is a long- stemmed, woody vine that is rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in search of direct sunlight. The word ''liana'' does not refer to a ta ...
with a thick stem and broad, dark green leaves. It is an epiphyte on trees and rocks. It is native to tropical forests of India, Myanmar, China, and Nepal.
[
]
Uses
The fruit is used medicinally as a stimulant and treatment for rheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorders are conditions causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue. Rheumatism does not designate any specific disorder, but covers at least 200 different conditions, including art ...
.[ Fruits are cultivated in India and is an important ingredient in ]Ayurveda
Ayurveda () is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. The theory and practice of Ayurveda is pseudoscientific. Ayurveda is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population repo ...
.
References
{{taxonbar, from=Q9334552
Flora of India (region)
Flora of Myanmar
Flora of China
Flora of Nepal
Monsteroideae