Diplocyclos palmatus L. Jeffrey (Shivalingi): Morphological features and Ethnomedicinal Importance

Abstract

Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) Jeffrey (Shivalingi) is an annual climber of Cucurbitaceae. The herb grows widely during rainy season and climb on shrubs and bushes. It is a unisexual, monoecious plant, having globose fruits with white lines, which become red and pulpy on ripe. Seeds are light, compressed having deep scar on both sides resembling to third eye of Lord Shiva. Fruits and seeds contain bitter principle bryonin and used in bilious attack, flatulence, constipation, intestinal inflammation and produce fertility in women. Fruits have been prescribed by natives to cure malarial fever and are an excellent remedy for chronic colitis. The present investigation was carried to study the morphological and ethnomedicinal importance of the plant.