Diploclisia glaucescens

Common name: Ramrakh, वाटोळी in Marathi, Bhoota kannu (Ghost eyes) in Kannada, Morasankodi in Tamil.
Family: Menispermaceae
Native to: India
Propagation: Seed
Sited at: Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra (March & June 2015) & Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem (Tambdisurla Sanctuary), Goa (April 2017)

This climber is a Liana, a large, woody climber. The common name of this climber refers to round shape of the leaves (Vatola = round shaped in Marathi). Underside of the leaves is whitish, compared to dark green of upper surface. This climber clings to very high trees and reaches top of the tree, which is supporting it.

Climber clinging to a tree trunk

Almost round leaves of this climber have very long and thin stalk. As the climber grows high, lower trunk remains leafless. Flowers bloom on the matured stems in great profusion. Pendant bunches of the flowers look very attractive. Tiny, yellow flowers are very cute. Flowering season is in month of March. Flowers are unisexual (male and female flowers are separate) and have mild scent.

Fertilized flowers start bearing fruit. These fruits too grow in great profusion. Normally twin fruits are found growing on long stalks. Tender fruits have very attractive colour. They look almost bluish-green; which is certainly a rare colour in nature. At maturity, fruit become yellowish-brown. In Tambdi Surla, Goa, thousands of fruits hanging down densely on a climber, clinging to a tall tree, were noticed.

Cross section of the stem

Leaves of this climber are supposed to have certain medicinal uses.

Diploclisia glaucescens (Vatoli)

Diploclisia glaucescens, commonly known as Vatoli is a large, woody climber. Leaves of the plant are almost round hence the name 'Vatoli, वाटोळी'; which means circular. Leaf stalks of this plant are longer than the leaf blades.

The climber flowers from March to April. Tiny yellow flowers are borne in clusters. Flowers mainly appear on the main trunk as well as on mature, woody branches. Fruits start appearing in monsoon. It belongs to Menispermaceae family. This climber is native to India. The climber has certain medicinal properties.