Moullava spicata is an endemic species of creeper found in the Western Ghats of India.
Description
As follows: • It is a robust woody climber, having recurved prickles on its branches. • Leaves - compound, bipinnate, 23–30 cm long with 4 to 6 pairs of pinnae, each 7.5 to 12 cm long, and having 5 to 7 pairs of oblong, coriaceous and dark-green leaflets on each pinna. The main rachis is armed with prickles. • Flowers - sessile in dense spicate racemes reaching 60 cm long; the rachis is grooved with soft hairs, armed with prickles. • Corolla - has 5 petals, inserted on top of the calyx-tube, obovate-spathulate, dark orange. 1 cm long, doesn't open fully. • Calyx : scarlet, • Androecium : has 10 stamens. • Fruit - a linear oblong pod, swollen above the seeds and constricted between them. • Seeds - 3 to 4, oblong, hard, bony. File:Moullava spicata at FTBG 03.jpg|Habit File:False_Thorn_(6499453337).jpg|Bipinnate leaves File:Moullava_spicata_(2042406759).jpg|Inflorescence File:Hoogliganje_(in_Kannada)_(5505608017).jpg|Fruit File:Moullava spicata seeds.jpg|Seeds File:Moullava spicata at FTBG 01.jpg|Recurved prickles ==Natural history==
Natural history
Moullava spicata is a creeper endemic to the moist deciduous and semievergreen forests of the Western Ghats. The creeper flowers and fruits from October to May. The flowers are frequented by birds and insects. ==Uses==
Uses
The seed of M. spicata yields an oil used for burning in lamps. ==Local names==
Local names
Local names in the different ranges of the Western Ghats are: • English: Candy Corn plant • Marathi: Wagati वागाटी, Wakeri वाकेरी • Tamil: Okkadikkodi, Pulinakkagondai • Kannada: ಗಜ್ಜಿಗಾಬಲ್ಲೀ Gajjigaballi ==References==