Cadaba fruticosa

• Botanical Name : Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce
• Synonyms : Cadaba indica Lam., Cleome fruticosa L.
• Common Name : Indian Cadaba, KaloKatakio, Khordu
• Plant Family : Capparaceae or Capparidaceae
• Plant Form : Shrub
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 9, 12, 30
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park

About Cadaba fruticosa Plant :

• Habit : A straggling much branched shrub.
• Stem : Erect, branched, cylindrical and solid, with smooth stems.
• Leaves : Simple, entire, elliptic-oblong, obtuse, mucronate, base rounded.
• Inflorescence : One - sided racemes or corymbs.
• Flowers : Greenish-white, bracteate, sepals 4, unequal, ovate, acute, petals spathulate with narrow claws, disk funnel-shaped, stamens 4, exserted half-way on the gynophore, ovary 1 celled, raised on the gynophore, style absent.
• Fruit : Dehiscent, cylindric, slightly moniliform.
• Seeds : Kidney-shaped, immersed in orange - red arillate pulp.
• Flowering and Fruiting time : November - March.
• Significance :
  • Common as a hedge plant.
  • The roots and leaves are anthelminitic and used in urine obstructions. They are also purgative as well as used as a poultice for sores.