Moullava spicata
# Moullava spicata

Moullava spicata is an endemic species of creeper found in the Western Ghats of India.

## Description

As follows:

* It is a robust woody climber, having recurved prickles on its branches.
* Leaves - compound, bipinnate, 23–30 cm long with 4 to 6 pairs of pinnae, each 7.5 to 12 cm long, and having 5 to 7 pairs of oblong, coriaceous and dark-green leaflets on each pinna. The main rachis is armed with prickles.
* Flowers - sessile in dense spicate racemes reaching 60 cm long; the rachis is grooved with soft hairs, armed with prickles.
* Corolla - has 5 petals, inserted on top of the calyx-tube, obovate-spathulate, dark orange. 1 cm long, doesn't open fully.
* Calyx : scarlet,
* Androecium : has 10 stamens.
* Fruit - a linear oblong pod, swollen above the seeds and constricted between them.
* Seeds - 3 to 4, oblong, hard, bony.
* Habit
* Bipinnate leaves
* Inflorescence
* Fruit
* Seeds
* Recurved prickles

## Natural history

Moullava spicata is a creeper endemic to the moist deciduous and semievergreen forests of the Western Ghats. The creeper flowers and fruits from October to May. The flowers are frequented by birds and insects.

## Uses

The seed of M. spicata yields an oil used for burning in lamps.

## Local names

Local names in the different ranges of the Western Ghats are:

* English: Candy Corn plant
* Marathi: Wagati वागाटी, Wakeri वाकेरी
* Tamil: Okkadikkodi, Pulinakkagondai
* Kannada: ಗಜ್ಜಿಗಾಬಲ್ಲೀ Gajjigaballi
