Argyreia cuneata is a perennial climbing shrub which is native to the Indian subcontinent and is related to Argyreia nervosa.

Argyreia cuneata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Genus: Argyreia
Species:
A. cuneata
Binomial name
Argyreia cuneata
Ker Gawl.

Common names include purple morning glory, mahalungi, and kallana gida.

Description

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Argyreia cuneata is a perennial climbing shrub growing from 150–200 cm. Its stems are covered with soft white hair. The leaves are about 6 centimeters long by 2.5 wide with wedge-shaped bases. The flowers are purple and about 5 cm long. The seeds are brown, about 1 cm long, and elliptically shaped.

Toxicity

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Like those of Argyreia nervosa, the seeds of A. cuneata contain various ergoline alkaloids such as chanoclavines and lysergic acid amides.[1][2]

Medicinal uses

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The leaves are traditionally used for treatment of diabetes.[3]

References

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  1. ^ The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications. Christian Rätsch. 2008.
  2. ^ HYLIN, John W. & Donald P. WATSON "Ergoline Alkaloids in Tropical Wood Roses" Science 184:. pp. 499–500.
  3. ^ Hager Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Band 2, 159-160.