Cardiospermum halicacabum L.

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Sapindales > Sapindaceae > Cardiospermum > C. halicacabum

Description: Herbaceous vine, much branched from the base, climbs by means of tendrils and attains 1.5-2 m in length. Stems with 5 longitudinal ribs, glabrous or puberulent; cross section with a single vascular cylinder. Leaves alternate, biternate; leaflets chartaceous, puberulent or sparsely pubescent, the apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate, the base attenuate, the margins lobate or laciniate; terminal leaflet lanceolate or triangular, rhombic or narrowly lanceolate in outline, lateral leaflets ovate, lanceolate, or oblong in outline, rachis and petiole not winged; petioles 2-3 cm long; stipules lanceolate, approximately 5 mm long; tendrils in pairs, spirally twisted, at the end of short axillary axes (aborted inflorescences), from which an inflorescence usually develops. Flowers functionally unisexual, zygomorphic, in axillary racemiform thyrsus, shorter than the accompanying leaf. Calyx light green, of 4 unequal sepals. Petals white, obovate, petaliferous appendages slightly shorter than the petals, fleshy and yellow at the apex, stamens 8, the filaments unequal, pubescent; ovary trilocular, with one style and 3 stigmas. Capsules brown, pearlike, turbinate-obtriangular or sometimes nearly ellipsoid , pubescent. Seeds black, shiny, approximately 5 mm in diameter; hilum green when fresh, white when dry, cordate.

Flowering and Fruiting: June to November

Uses: The root is considered laxative, and is given in dosages of half a cupful twice daily. It would appear that in rheumatism the Hindus [sic.] administer the leaves internally rubbed up with castor-oil, and also apply a paste, made with them, externally; a similar external application is used to reduce swellings and tumors of various kinds.

Cultivation: Wild and common.

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org