Thanks for sharing this rare plant. Good photograph too.. Dr Phadke On 5 March 2011 23:25, Jayesh Patil <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi, > > Attached is a photo of the the liana, *Ancistrocladus heyneanus* from > Ancistrocladaceae seen at Matheran. > *Ancistrocladus* is the only genus in this family. According to Cooke, of > the two species found in India, only one of the 10 species from this genus > has been reported to occur in main-land India while the other species, *A. > tectorius* is endemic to the Andaman Islands. > While he mentions it to be 'pretty common in the Ghats', it is endangered > and endemic to the Western Ghats. > Recent findings that the species *A. korupensis* has potential anti-AIDS > activity had led to interest in this genus. Unfortunately, while this > finding is a good news for humans, its a sad news for this genus as this > will now probably be exploited. > > Sadly was unable to take photos of the leaves as there were at a height and > in a direction which didn't allow proper photography. > The leaves of this plant are very peculiar and it has a tendril with > several hook-like structures for support. > > > Binomial name: *Ancistrocladus heyneanus* Wall. Cat. > Family: Ancistrocladaceae > Photographed at: Matheran > Photographed on: 16 February, 2011 > > > > - Jayesh >
