Leea aequata, kaka jangha, kakanasika, yuan xian huo tong shu,

Leea aequata L.
Family: Vitaceae

Synonyms: Leea ancolona Miq., Leea hirsuta Blume ex Spreng., Leea hirta Roxb. ex Hornem., Leea hispida Gagnep., Leea kurzii C.B. Clarke

Chinese: 圆腺火筒树,  yuan xian huo tong shu
Other Indian names: aeluvasandhe  gida,  bhooyidinda,  chivikivelama, dasi,  dhvankshajangha,  kaaka  mruthyu,  kaaka  samhaari gida,  kaakajanga,  kaka,  kakajangha,  kakakala,  kakanacikam, kakanasa, kakanasika, kakanchi, kakanga, kakangah, kakangi, kakavha, kaki, kanga, kauridinga, mekenui, monakaalu muruka, neetiveli, sirapadi, surapaadi, surapadi, velanasandi, velumasandi
Nepali: galeni
Telugu: Surapadi సురపాది

Description: Erect shrubs or small trees. Branchlets terete with longitudinal ridges, densely ferruginous pubescent. Leaves 1- or 2-pinnate; stipules cuneate or lanceolate, 2-4 × 0.4-0.6 cm, deciduous; petiole 7-15 cm, central petiolules 2-6 cm, lateral petiolules to 2 cm, densely ferruginous pubescent; leaf axis 20-35 cm, densely ferruginous pubescent; leaflets elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 6-22 × 3-7 cm, base cuneate or rounded, margin with irregular teeth, apex acuminate or caudate acuminate, abaxial surface pubescent and rough with rounded brown peltate glands, adaxial surface with short hairs; lateral veins 6-14 pairs, veinlets inconspicuously protruding. Inflorescence leaf-opposed; peduncle 1-4 cm, densely ferruginous pubescent. Pedicel 1-6 mm, densely pubescent; buds ovate, 3-4 mm, apex rounded. Calyx tube cupulate; sepals triangular and densely with glands. Petals elliptic, 3-3.5 mm, glabrous. Staminodial tube 1.7-2.5 mm, with lower part 1.5-2.3 mm, upper 0.4-0.6 mm, lobes 0.3-0.4 mm. Stamens 5; filaments 2-3 mm; anthers elliptic, 1.5-2 × 0.8-1 mm. Ovary globose, 0.5-0.7 mm; style 0.5-0.8 mm; stigma slightly capitate. Berry oblate, 0.5-0.7 cm, 4-6-seeded. Fl. Apr-May, fr. Jul-Sep. 2n = 24

 

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Tubers and stems astringent and  mucilaginous.  A  strong  antidote  for  poison,  root  bark mixed with Dioscorea pentaphylla. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

Stem and root—astringent, anthelmintic. Used for indigestion, jaundice, chronic fever and malaria. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

Published article:

Antibacterial activity of seeds, stems and roots of Leea aequata. By: Jain, S. K.; Manikpuri, N.; Manoj Kujur Biosciences, Biotechnology Research Asia  Volume: 7   Issue: 1   Pages: 453-456   Published: 2010