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This is a liana, which is native to tropical Africa, Arabia, the Indian Subcontinent, China, Viet Nam, Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The conservation status of this species is regarded as Near Threatened. (National List 2012).
This is a species that is restricted o the northern dry zone of the country. I have observed the flowers of this species on a few occasions in Silavathurei, Nanatan, Vidathalthivu and Arippu.
The seeds of this plant are edible and are usually cooked when picked fresh from the pods or dried in the sun. The dried seeds can be kept for many months.
The traditional medical doctors in Africa use the pounded tubers of this species to treat chickenpox.
In Wilpattu I have seen this species only once at Manikkapola Uttu during the month of December.