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Description |
Geographic Range [top]
Range Description: Merremia gangetica is a pan tropical species found in Southeast Asia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Australia and tropical Africa. In India, it is commonly found in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh (Cook 1996).
Countries occurrence:
Native:
Angola (Angola); Australia; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Cameroon; China; Congo; Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Côte dIvoire; Ethiopia; Gabon; Ghana; India (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu); Indonesia; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Myanmar; Nepal; Nigeria; Philippines; Rwanda; Sierra Leone; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tanzania, United Republic of; Thailand; Togo; Uganda; Viet Nam; Zimbabwe
Additional data:
? Upper elevation limit (metres): 200
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]
Population:
Although the population information is unknown throughout its range, some studies indicate an increase in density in Harni pond, Baroda (Dave and Krishnayya 2004) and Patharia hills in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh (Thakur and Khare 2010).
Current Population Trend: Stable
Additional data:
? Population severely fragmented: No
Habitat and Ecology [top]
Habitat and Ecology:
It is a perennial herb, found in marshes, on the banks of canals and pools where it is frequently inundated (Cook 1996). It is also found in wastelands, waterlogged areas, roadsides, grasslands, on clay to sandy soils.
Systems: Terrestrial; Freshwater
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: No
Use and Trade [top]
Use and Trade:
In India, leaves are used as vegetable, young leaves fried with groundnut oil, and other spices and used with bread, called ‘Roti’ made from Sorghum flour. Leaves are also used in soups. Leaf juice is given for migraine and as an ear drop to relieve abscesses and ulcers. Root is used to treat diseases of eyes and gums (Rajasab and Isaq 2004). The plant was therapeutically used as deobstruent, diuretic, for cough, headache, neuralgia and rheumatism (Chatterjee and Prakashi 1995). The ethyl acetate (IB) and methanol extracts (IC) of M. emarginata were found to show promising biological activities (Babu et al. 2009). Methanol extract of this plant might be useful for antioxidant and antidiabetic activities with minimal toxicity. Leaf powder infusion, about 30 ml, administered orally for a week daily 2 times at morning and at nights cures Jaundice (Pratap et al. 2010). Decoction of the whole plant is taken internally to treat stomach problems.
Threats [top]
Major Threat(s):
This plant is threatened by human disturbance in Patharia hills of Sagar, Madhya Pradesh (Thakur and Khare 2010).
Conservation Actions [top]
Conservation Actions:
No conservation actions are known to be taken for this species.
Citation: Mani, S. 2011. Merremia gangetica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T176956A7338208. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T176956A7338208.en. Downloaded on 19 August 2016.
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