Vanda tessellata

(Roxb.) Hook. ex G. Don

OrchidaceaeRoots
Vanda tessellata
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Vanda tessellata
iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Ramesh Shenai Jr., some rights reserved (CC BY)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Root

The aerial roots are roasted or burnt and eaten as a snack, particularly by children.

Where to Find It

It is a tropical plant.

Asia, India,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A tropical orchid found in warm regions, notable for its aerial roots which can be harvested and prepared as food.

Medicinal Uses

The roots are alexiteric and antipyretic; useful in dyspepsia, bronchitis, inflammations, piles and hiccup. Externally the root is used in rheumatism and allied disorders and diseases of the nervous system. It is also employed as a remedy for secondary syphilis and scorpion stings. The juice of the leaves is used topically in otitis and a paste of them finds use as a febrifuge. The roots possess significant anti-inflammatory activity. and exhibit potent analgesic effects combined with a relatively low toxicity A novel aphrodisiac compound ( 2,7,7-tri methyl bicyclo [2.2.1] heptane) has been found in the orchid in 2013.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Vanda tessellata (also known as Grey orchid or Checkered Vanda) is a species of orchid occurring from the Indian subcontinent to Indochina. It is a medicinal plant.

Names & Synonyms

Daru janapa

Cymbidium tesselloides Roxb.Epidendrum tessellatum Roxb.Vanda roxburghii R. Brand others
References (1)
  • Misra, R. C., et al, 2013, Genetic resources of wild tuberous food plants traditionally used in Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. Vol. 60 No. 2. Springer

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