Rhynchosia heynei
Wight & Arn.
Fabaceae
Rhynchosia coodoorensis Bedd.
Common Name:
General Information
Rhynchosia heynei is an erect, low-growing shrub.
Ther plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Although Rhynchosia heynei has a wide range through India, the species is considered to be rare since it is found in small, widely dispersed, habitat patches. The habitat is likely to suffer continued decline in extent and quality in view of ongoing threats. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2012)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
506- Title
- The Flora of British India. (in 7 volumes)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- L.Reeve & Co.; London
- Year
- 1872 - 1897
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, but has some information on plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
E. Asia - central and southern India
Habitat
Mixed and dry deciduous forests and scrub jungles, being found in small, widely dispersed patches; at elevations from 250 - 1,130 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Pollinators | Bees |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
Rhynchosia heynei is used by local people to treat rheumatic pains, arthritis and skin diseases[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The essential oil obtained from the leaves by steam distillation has been investigated for antimicrobial activity and chemical characterization[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
We have seen no specific entry for this species, but all members of this genus have at least some merit for use as a ground cover and in local soil conservation projects[
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.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried 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.
