Botanical Name

Celastruspaniculatus

Family

Celastraceae

Sanskrit

Jyotishmati

English name

Black Oil Plant /staff tree

Hindi name

Malkangani

Kannada name

Gangunge balli

Habit

Climber

Habitat

Open moist places, Forest slopes, etc.,

Plant Description

It is an unarmed large woody climber. Alternately arranged leaves are very variable - elliptic, broadly, obovate or circular. Base is wedge-shaped. Flowers are borne in large panicles at the end of branches. Male flowers are minute, pale green. Sepals nearly circular, toothed. Petals are oblong or obovate-oblong, entire. Female flowers having sepals, petals and disk similar to those of male flowers. Capsule round, bright yellow.

Threat Status

Vulnerable

Distribution

South East Asia and Australia

Part used

Seed

Medicinal uses

Enhances memory and cognitive functions. Used in skin diseases, wound healing, disorders of liver, herpes.