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Ceropegia Odorata
Ceropegia Odorata
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Magnoliophyta
(unranked):	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Ceropegia
Species:	Odorata
Binomial name
Ceropegia odorata Nimmo
Natural range of the Ceropegia Odorata of the Apocynaceae family

The Jeemikanda Plant, Ceropegia Odorata, is a plant that was thought to be extinct over 175 years ago , but was rediscovered in Gujarat, India by J. Graham Nimmo. Cerogeia Odorata” was given the common name, “Jeemikanda,” by Pawra tribes located in Gujarat, India. This plant is classified as an endangered species due to industrial expansion and progression in central India. The Jeemikanda plant is used for medicinal purposes to treat stomach pain and eye irritation. This beautiful, flowering plant is nationally recognized and protected in the Riparian Forest of the Chandoli National Park.

Chandoli wildlife sanctuary

Distribution

Ceropegia is an endangered, flowering plant that is native to Africa, Australia, and Southern Asia. The specific “Ceropegia Odorata” is located in high elevations, around 3,000 meters, of western India: Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Salsette Island. Most of these areas that “Ceropegia Odorata” grows is highly inaccessible to humans since these endangered plants are protected from the public to attempt in repopulation of “Ceropegia Odorata.”

Habitat and Ecology

The soils of Gujarat, India:

• Desert soils
• Shallow, medium and, black Calcareous soils
• Sandy Loam to Sandy soils
• Sandy to Saline soils
• Poorly drained soils--medium black
• Deep black, black, medium black to loamy sand soils
• Deep black with Aluvial, Laterite and Medium Black soils
• Deep black clay-like soils

“Ceropegia Odorata” is a type of climbing, flowering plant that is able to grow successfully in any types of soils. “Ceropegia Odorata” is a perennial plant, which means it lives on average for over 2 years. Since “Ceropegia Odorata” only grows at high altitudes, the types of soil that this specific plant grows in is loamy, acid soils. The soils in the mountains of the state of Gujarat are acidic due heavy spells of rainfall and poor soil depth. These types of mountainous soils are very shallow due to the lack of nutrient uptake in the mountain, which is mainly caused by precipitation runoff and deforestation.

Mountains of Gujarat, India- Possible landmarks where "Ceropegia Odorata" can be found growing

The overall climate of Gujarat is described as a local steppe climate. Steppes occur in temperate climates, which lie between the tropics and polar regions. Steppes are referred to as semi-arid, meaning there is only about 10-20 inches of rain per year. The average temperature in Gujarat’s hottest month (June) is around 93.5 degrees Fahrenheit and the average temperature for the coldest month (January) is around 54.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot and dry climate of Gujarat, India plays a negative role in how successful many plants can thrive in little to no amount of rainfall. Runoff is a large factor because the loamy soils of the mountains of Gujarat can not absorb rainfall as well as soils that experience an average of amount of rainfall, causing soils to become acid and shallow. “Ceropegia Odorata” survives under these conditions through scaling other large plants to access extra rainfall and extract nutrients from those larger plants.

Morphology

Ceropegia odorata

Individuals of this species are highly endangered tuberous herbs. The “Ceropegia Odorata” has flowers that expel a certain type of fragrance similar to rotting fruit to attract insects. The perennial development of the anthers and stamen, that extend past the fluorescent yellow petals, explicitly fertilizes and reproduces into a single plant by releasing pollen. These tubers’ diameter is about 1-2.5cm in diameter. “Ceropegia Odorata” contains six nodes along a single plant once it is matured. The 5-petal flower structure of this plant consists of a dilated base where the veins protrude from the corolla of the plant, curved and connate-like tip forming an oval-like structure. The esters that spread the pollen for the plant grow in an biparous cyme reproductive pattern to increase chance of pollination. The leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the climbing structure of the stem. The stem itself is covered in small filaments, giving it a fleshy feel; These filaments are used to grasp onto objects in order for the plant to continue to grow. This flowering plant climbs in an erect state to ensure to higher chance of absorbing sunlight in order to undergo photosynthesis through its cytoplasm. The taproot structure allows the plant to localize the nutrients straight to the apical meristem where it undergoes a chemical breakdown, known as mineral uptake. The taproot benefits "Ceropegia Odorata" because of the limited amount of rainfall Gujarat, India receives; This allows it to absorb as much water and nutrients as efficient as possible.

Flowers and Reproduction

Flowers of “Ceropegia L.”],the lantern flower, usually have a tubular corolla that have fused petals at the tips. There are over 180 species of “Ceropegia L.” and many are undocumented. The flowers of this genus emittes a fragrance that mainly attracts flies to aid in the pollination process. The structure of the flower is positioned erect in relation to the main stem to allow the anthers and stamen of the male sex to pollinate, and the the ovary structure in the female sex is in the superior position. The tubular formation of the flowers traps insects upon landing on the flower to ensure pollination. These reproductive organs are positioned in the basal portion of the corolla. The flowers are usually fluorescent colors, which is an additional factor in aiding the plant’s pollination process. This genus, Ceropegia, does not produce any fruit, but produces tubers and buds at the base of the taproot and embryotic shoots, that can be eaten as vegetables.

Ceropegia haygarthii, another species of "Ceropegia L.," a prime example of the erect structure that the stamen adopts

Another species in the Ceropegia L. genus, Ceropegia woodii

Usage

Food

• The tubers that grow from the taproot of "Ceropegia Odorata" are eaten as vegetables.
• Alcoholic beverages through fermentation and distillation
• Tubers can be pickled
• Tubers can be eaten raw
• Tubers can be eaten baked or cooked

Medicine

• The leaves of “Ceropegia Odorata” are chewed to relieve stomach pain.
• The leaves contain anti-inflammatory properties that relieve inflammation and gas build-up. The oil that can be extracted from the tubers can be used to relieve eye irritation and soreness.
• Diabetes
• Headaches
• Kidney stones
• Swelling
• Tonic
• Fever
• Blood clotting
• Snake bite
• Skin disease

References

Category: Ceropegia