<i>Decalepis hamiltonii</i> Wight & Arn. — An endangered source of indigenous health drink

Abstract

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