22-23NATURAL PRODUCT RADIANCEDecalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. (Family Asclepiadaceae) is an endemic
and endangered plant of Andhra Pradesh. A herbal health drink from its roots is
prepared by Yanadi tribe of the area. The plant is a liane, locally
called Maredu kommulu or Barre sugnadhi or Maredugaddalu
(Telugu). It grows in between the rocks and places where there is thick
vegetation. Milky latex is present in the entire plant. Each root is 5-10 cm in
diameter and 4-10 roots arise from the rootstock. A 2-3 year old plant produce
15-20 kg of roots and one year old plant produces 1-2 kg of roots. Roots are
harvested during summer months mostly by the Yanadi tribe of Chittoor district and it is the main source of income to them until
the agricultural works resumes