Indian screw tree

Pods of Indian screw tree

The Indian Screw Tree is a shrub which can be found in Asia (India, South china, Thailand, Malaysia, Java) and Australia. The fruits are pods that are twisted like a screw with a pointed tip.

This plant is sometimes classified in the Malvaceae family but sometimes in a different family: Sterculiaceae.

Names

Scientific
   Helicteres isora
English
   East-Indian screw tree
   Indian screw tree
   Nut-leaved screw tree

Taxonomy

Genus
   Helicteres
Family
   Malvaceae
Order
   Malvales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Distribution:

India, South China, Thailand, Malaysia, Java, Australia.

Fruits:

Twisted pods with a pointed tip.

Climate and weather:

A tropical plant

Height:

It’s a shrub or small tree which can be 5 to 8 meters tall.

Uses:

Different parts of the plants are used for their medicinal properties. The plant is a source of nutrients and antioxidants. It’s supposed to have anticancer, anti-diabetic and antimicrobial properties.
The bark can be used to make rope.

Crop categories

Medicinal plants
Tropical crops

Pictures