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Curculigo orchioides

Scientific Name: Curculigo orchioides

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Curculigo orchioides

Curculigo orchioides, commonly known as golden eye-grass or Kali Musli (also spelled as Kali Musali), is a flowering plant species with a rich history of traditional medicinal use.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is a small herb with a tuberous root-stock up to 10 cm long, which could be tempting for digging pets.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is a small herb with a tuberous root-stock up to 10 cm long.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.
  • Family: Amaryllidaceae (sometimes also listed under Hypoxidaceae)
  • Synonyms: Curculigo brevifolia Dryand. ex W.T.Aiton

Common Names

  • Golden eye-grass
  • Kali Musli (also spelled as Kali Musali)
  • Syah (black) Musli
  • Xian Mao (Chinese)
  • Orchid palm grass
  • Tala-muli (Oriya)
  • Nela tengu (Kannada)

Distribution and Habitat

Curculigo orchioides is native to a wide range of regions:

  • China
  • Japan
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • Papuasia
  • Micronesia
  • India, especially in the north hillside region

It is often found growing on hilly slopes and in wild places.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Small herb
  • Tuberous root-stock (up to 10 cm long)
  • Perennial herb
  • Long cylindrical rhizomes

Traditional Uses

  • In Ayurvedic medicine, Curculigo orchioides is used to treat various ailments and illnesses.
  • The rhizomes have been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac.
  • The tribal people of Madhupur use the tubers for sexual debility and leucorrhoea.

Conservation Status

Curculigo orchioides is considered an endangered medicinal plant in some regions.

Further Information

  • India Biodiversity Portal
  • Ayushveda.com Herbs Encyclopedia