Asparagus filicinus

Asparagus filicinus
Family : Liliaceae
Vernacular names : Nye shing (Am); Gaja
tugtug, Rapuk (Km); Ban
kurilo, Satawari (Dn, Np).
Common name : Wild asparagus.
Habitat & distribution : Forests, shrubberies;
2100-3000 m, WC Nepal. Distributed in the Himalaya
(Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh), NE India, Myanmar,
China, Indo-China, Thailand. Locally found in Suligad
and Jagdulla valley (2200-3400m).
Diagnostic characters : Erect perennial, or twiner
without spines and with tuberous roots. Cladodes flat,
curved in clusters of 2-6. Flowers white or greenish to
reddish-green, solitary or paired, on slender stalks in
axils of cladode whorls. Berry black, globose.
Occurrence : Common.
Flowering & fruiting : May-Jul. (fl), Jun.-Oct. (fr).
Parts used : Root tubers.
Taste/Potency : Sweet (ngar) & bitter
(kha)/ Warm (dro).
Use : Lactation, weakness,
excessive menstrual bleeding, nasal bleeding,
diarrhoea, dysentery, and skin diseases. Also used as
diuretic, tonic, and detergent to wash hair and
wounds.
Toxicity : Non-toxic.
Mode of use : Used singly or with other
herbs.
Chief constituents : Tubers contain mucillage
and furostanosides
(filicinoside-A & B).
Harvesting : Tubers are harvested
selectively from mature
plants during Oct.-Nov.
National status : Threat not known.
Local status : Not vulnerable.
Commonly found and
collected mostly by amchis.
Major documentation : Chophel (1993), CSIR
(1985, 1986, 2000), Dawa
(1993).