Species

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult.

Family
Asclepiadaceae
English Name
Indian sarasaparilla
Malayalam Name
Nannaari, Naruneendi
Tamil Name
Nannaari
Kannada Name
Ananthamoola, Beruballi
Telugu Name
Nannaari, Sugandhipaala
Hindi Name
Anandmul-kapuri, Anantamul
Sanskrit Name
Ananta, Anantamul
Trade Name
Sugandhipala, Anantmool, Nannari, Indian sarasaparilla
Part Used
Root
In Wild
NA
Under Cultivation
NA
Temperature
NA
Rainfall
NA
Farmers
NA
Traders
NA
Institution
NA
Individually
NA
State/Region
NA
District
NA
Nursery Information
NA
Yield
Dry root biomass approximately 1.2 tonnes per hectare.
Economic of cultivation
Cost of cultivation ? 2,00,000 per hectare. Market price: Dry root ? 550 per kg (as on June 2019).
Quantitative quality standards
Root: 1. Foreign matter : Not more than 2 % 2. Ash : Not more than 4.3 % 3. Acid-insoluble ash : Not more than 0.3 % 4. Ethanol-soluble extractive : Not less than 6.5 % 5. Water-soluble extractive : Not less than 8.5 %
Description
Slender twining under shrubs with woody rootstock and fleshy roots. Leaves very variable, opposite or in whorls, often variegated, 3-7 x 0.7-3 cm, elliptic-oblong to linear-lanceolate. Flowers few, sub sessile, in short, axillary cymes. Corolla yellow, c. 8 mm across, 3-4 mm long, rotate, lobes 5, fleshy, triangular. Follicles to 10 cm long, cylindric. Seeds many, with a tuft of white hairs at the ends.
Agro technology/Cultivation practices
Hemidesmus indicus show better growth in humus-rich loam to silt-clay loam alkaline soil (PH 7.5-8.5). Cultivation 1. Planting stock production: Stem and root cuttings are used as propagating material. Root cuttings have better sprouting and survival rates than stem cuttings. Stem and root cuttings pre-treated with commercially available root hormone are planted in polythene bags during July September. Root formation takes place in 1-1.5 months. About 28,000 rooted cuttings are required for 1 hectare of land. 2. Field planting: Planting is done in 30 cm 30 cm 30 cm size pits at 60 cm 60 cm spacing. Since it is a climber, pandal shall be provided for the support or can be grown as intercrop using the tree for support. 3. Manuring/Fertilizer: 1-2 kg farmyard manure is mixed with soil and sand in equal quantities used for filling in the pits. Three to four weeding are necessary. 4. Irrigation: Irrigation at the time of transplanting is mandatory. Two subsequent irrigations at 15 and 45 days after transplanting required. 5. Pest and diseases: No serious disease or pest is recorded in this plant.
Harversting
Plant matures in two and half year after planting. During December and January, plants are harvested by digging the root.
Processing
Harvested roots are washed, dried in shade, and stored in moisture-free packing in cool and dry place.
References
NA