(Rubiaceae) Benkara depauperata (Drake) Ridsdale

Local name(s): 

Medicinal use(s): used as a tonic.

Part(s) used: root; stemwood

Field Characters: Climber 9-10 m long. Thorns long, 2-3 cm on the lineage and curve down along with the lineage. Strong (hard) lineage. Leaves ovate with entire margin. Leaf size 2-4 cm.

Locality: Savannakhet Province, Sonbouri District, Ban Nam Phu Tai.

Habitat: 

Altitude: 407 m asl. 

Collector(s): K. Sydara, D.T. Kien, M.V. Sinh 

Collection number(s): LAOS_113 (= Sydara 113)

Collection Date: February 7, 2000

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no. 2245982.

Synonyms, images, taxonomic description: 


Plants of the World onlineFlora of China Vol. 19 Page 79GBIF | Global Biodiversity Information FacilitySelina Wamuchi - Benkara depauperata

Medicinal properties:


Mishra N, Oraon A, Dev A, et al. Anticonvulsant activity of Benkara malabarica (Linn.) root extract: In vitro and in vivo investigation. J Ethnopharmacol 2010, 128(2):533-6.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.01.042