Dilip Walse Patil

Scientific Name : Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A.H.Gentry

Category : Angiosperms

Status : Alive

Habit : An evergreen semi-woody climber. Leaves : Opposite, divided into two ovate leaflets, bright green Flowers : Deep lavender flowers with white throat becoming paler lavender when matures. Flowering and Fruiting Time : Almost throughout the year. Significance : Commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. It said that this houseplant pushes out all the bad luck from your house. Crushed leaves smell like garlic, although the plant is not related to the common edible onion or garlic at all. This plant is even used as substitute for garlic in food. It is considered analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic and anti-pyretic. Both the bark and the leaves are used in tinctures and decoctions. In addition, the leaves are also used as a common remedy for coughs, colds, flu and pneumonia and as a purgative. It is also effective as a mosquito and snakes repellent.