Moullava spicata
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Moullava spicata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Genus: | Moullava |
| Species: | M. spicata |
| Binomial name | |
| Moullava spicata | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Wagatea spicata Dalzell | |
Moullava spicata is an endemic species of creeper found in the Western Ghats of India.
- It is a robust woody climber, having recurved prickles on its branches.
- Leaves - compound, bipinnate, 23–30 cm long with 4 to 6 pairs of pinnae, each 7.5 to 12 cm long, and having 5 to 7 pairs of oblong, coriaceous and dark-green leaflets on each pinna. The main rachis is armed with prickles.
- Flowers - sessile in dense spicate racemes reaching 60 cm long; the rachis is grooved with soft hairs, armed with prickles.
- Corolla - has 5 petals, inserted on top of the calyx-tube, obovate-spathulate, dark orange. 1 cm long, doesn't open fully.
- Calyx : scarlet,
- Androecium : has 10 stamens.
- Fruit - a linear oblong pod, swollen above the seeds and constricted between them.
- Seeds - 3 to 4, oblong, hard, bony.
Habit
Bipinnate leaves
Inflorescence
Fruit
Seeds
Recurved prickles
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Natural history
Moullava spicata is a creeper endemic to the moist deciduous and semievergreen forests of the Western Ghats.[3][5] The creeper flowers and fruits from October to May.[5] The flowers are frequented by birds and insects.
Uses
The seed of M. spicata yields an oil used for burning in lamps.[3]
