Alysicarpus longifolius
(Rottl. ex Spreng.) Wight & Arn.
Fabaceae
Hedysarum longifolium Spreng.
Common Name:
General Information
Alysicarpus longifolius is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing 120 - 150cm tall[
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
Range
E. Asia - Pakistan, western and central India.
Habitat
Margins of cultivated fields, among grasses in wastelands, and in the hedges[
1313- Title
- Pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Alysicarpus longifolius W. and A. Prodr
- Publication
- AYU; Apr-Jun 2013; Vol 34; Issue 2 pp229-232
- Author
- Bhavesh Patil, Bhupesh Patel, Preeti Pandya, C.R. Harisha
- Website
- http://www.ayujournal.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2013
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 1.25 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The root is used as a substitute for liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
The plant is used as a substitute for Uraria picta[
1313- Title
- Pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Alysicarpus longifolius W. and A. Prodr
- Publication
- AYU; Apr-Jun 2013; Vol 34; Issue 2 pp229-232
- Author
- Bhavesh Patil, Bhupesh Patel, Preeti Pandya, C.R. Harisha
- Website
- http://www.ayujournal.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2013
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
