For Id 020908JM1- Large Pods of a woody climber?

[J.M. Garg]

Saw them in Talakona forest on 16 & 17/8/08 near Tirupati, AP. I was surprised to see these huge pods, possibly of a large woody climber. Anybody on Id?
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With regards,
J.M.Garg
"We often ignore the beauty around us"
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[Neil Soares]

Hi Mr.Garg,
It is Entada rheedei [E.scandens] a lofty woody climbing shrub locally called Garambi.
Regards,
Neil.

--- On Tue, 9/2/08, J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com> wrote:

[J.M. Garg]

Thanks, Neil ji for Id.

 

Here are some extracts from Wikipedia link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entada_rheedii

Entada rheedii is a large woody liana or climber. It is also known as African Dream Herb and Snuff Box Sea Bean. It is often spelled as Entada rheedei, though initially published as E. rheedii. The alternate spelling is to correctly honour Hendrik Adriaan von Rheede tot Draakestein (1637-1691).^[2]

Its leaves are dried and smoked to induce vivid dreams. Its seeds are known to be found on east African beaches, having grown on river and estuary banks and in swamp forest. They have thick and durable seed coats and can survive lengthy periods of immersion in sea water. These seeds are sought after as pieces of jewelry and as good-luck charms. As a result of its ready dispersal by sea, Entada rheedii is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

The plant is also used as a topical ointment against jaundice.

Here is another link for little details & a picture: http://flickr.com/photos/rushing_mania/543920810/ & for its drawing: http://zr.molbiol.ru/s_pictures/52_098.gif
 

[Ravi Vaidyanathan]

Dear JM

The Garambhi is found in the Phansad wildlife sanctuary and i have a
few seeds collected from there in my possession. There is one seed pod
kept at the Phansad office for display which is around 5 feet tall

Ravi

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