Scientific name: Cardiospermum halicacabum L.

Family: Sapindaceae

Synonym: Cardiospermum corycodes Kuntze

Bengali/Vernacular name: Phutka, Lataphutki, Kanphutki, Lataphatkari.

Tribal name: Heda boxa shak, Kedapatta shak, Kalaboitta (Chakma); Gondalu, Sithapu (Garo); Nala maiachi, Lukta totoi (Marma); Kheda batta shak (Tanchangya).

English name: Baloon vine, Winter cherry, Hearts pea, Heart seed.

Description of the plant: An annual, sometimes perennial climbing herb. Stem deeply 5-sulcate, slender, glabrous to sparsely hairy. Leaves 5-8 cm, sparsely appressed hairy, petioles 2-4 cm long, leaflets 3-partite and pinnately lobed, lobes and apex aristulate. Flowers very small, white, in few-flowered axillary, umbellate cymes; peduncles slender, 3.8-10 cm long, provided with two circinate tendrils at the top. Fruits 3-lobed, globular, green, reddish at the base, hairy.

Cardiospermum halicacabum

Plant parts used: Whole plant (without root).

Medicinal uses: Pills made from the plant are taken for the treatment of asthma.

Paste prepared the plant is applied on the affected area to treat eczema.

Juice extracted from the plant is taken for the treatment of measles.

Distribution: This species occurs almost throughout the country.

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