Asparagus racemosus - Shatavari

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Asparagus racemosus(Satavari)

Satavari or Asparagus racemosus is a species of asparagus common throughout Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and the Himalayas. It grows one to two metres tall and prefers to take root in gravelly, rocky soils high up in piedmont plains, at 1,300–1,400 metres elevation. It was botanically described in 1799.Because of its multiple uses, the demand for Asparagus racemosus is constantly on the rise. Because of destructive harvesting, combined with habitat destruction, and deforestation, the plant is now considered "endangered" in its natural habitat.

Uses

gastric ulcers , dyspepsia, galactogogue, intrinsic haemorrhage, diarrhoea, piles, hoarseness of voice, cough, arthritis, poisoning.

Parts Used

Leaves, Roots.

Chemical Composition

Tender shoots of alfalfa are reported to contain per 100 g 52 calories, 82.7% moisture, 6 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 9.5 g total carbohydrate, 3.1 g fiber, 1.4 g ash, 12 mg Ca, 51 mg P, 5.4 mg Fe, 3410 IU Vit A, 0.13 mg thiamine, 0.14 mg riboflavin, 0.5 mg niacin, and 162 mg ascorbic acid

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	halavu makkala taayi beru
Hindi	shatamuli
Malayalam	sathavari
Tamil	tannir-vittan
Telugu	abiruvu, cella
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	satamuli, satavari
English	buttermilk root, climbing asparagus, water root, wild asparagus, wild carrot

Habit

Climber

Identification

Leaf

{{Leaf|simple|linear|Leaf Apices is Acuminate Leaf arrangement is Alternate distichous and Leaf Margins are Entire

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
pale lavender	2-4cm long	violet	6-12 mm long	The flowers are papilionaceous, typical of species

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
loose spiral	A curved or loose spiral seed pod is present		seeds are yellow to brow.n in colour	10 to 20 seed	{{{6}}}

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

• Vishatinduka Taila as root juice extract

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Stem cutting.

How to plant/cultivate

For cultivation of alfalfa, land should be well-plowed. Farm manure could be applied six weeks before planting, with additional manurings as top dressing after every third cutting. Crop is propagated by seed. As seeds have hard coat, they should be scarified or soaked in water before sowing.

Commonly seen growing in areas

western Himalayas, open woodland, moisty soil area.

Photo Gallery

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  Medicago sativa

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  M. sativa

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  M. sativa

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  Flowers

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  Yellow flowers

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  Light violet flowers

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  M. sativa var. sativa, mature fruits

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  Seeds (actual size ≈2mm)

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  Lucerne field

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  Bee on alfalfa flower