Common name: Lavang Lata, Indian lavanga • Hindi: लवंग लता Lavang Lata • Manipuri: লৱংগ লতা Lavang Lata • Kannada: jeeanthi balli, jeevani, kakkola, lavangalathe • Bengali: লবংগ লতা Lavang Lata • Assamese: লৱংগ লতা Lavang Lata • Sanskrit: Lavanga lata, dhankshika, dhira, dhmanksholi, गंधकोकिला gandhakokila, vayastha, lavali, kakoli, kayasthika
Botanical name: Luvunga scandens Family: Rutaceae (Citrus family) Synonyms: Limonia scandens
Lavang Lata is a strong woody climber with recurved spines,
native to North-East India. It belongs to the family of lemon and orange.
Unfortunately, it has now become a rare and endangered species.
Leaves are compound, with 3 leaflets which
are lancelike and leathery. Leaf stalks are chanelled. Peduncles carrying
4-12 pretty large, white, fragrant flowers, arise from leaf axils.
Flowers are shaped like
the flowers of most citrus plants. Fruit is oblong, 2.5 x 2 cm in size,
yellowish, with smooth aromatic peel and resinous, fragrant pulp. The fruit
has 1-3 ovoid seeds. This evergreen plant is sometimes grown for ornamental
purposes. Flowering: March-April.
Medicinal uses:  Dried fruits are used in making medicinal oil. Roots and fruits are employed for treating scorpion-stings.
Identification credit: Thingnam Sophia
| Photographed in Imphal, Manipur. |
|