Identity:
This plant is actually a climbing leguminous vine. In Bengali it is known as Alkushi, in Sanskrit as Kapiguccha, and in Hindi as Kauch Beej.
Typically, this plant does not live for more than one year, though in certain places some vines may survive longer.
The leaves resemble those of the sweet potato plant. The hairs (trichomes) on the Alkushi pods are extremely irritating to humans—if they touch the skin, intense itching occurs.
The flowers of the Alkushi plant are purple. After flowering, clusters of pods form on the peduncles. The pods are covered with fine, golden-brown hairs that resemble a monkey’s fur.
Alkushi grows in Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and the Terai region, and around ten species of this plant are found in India.
Uses:
The root, seeds, and leaves of Alkushi are used medicinally. It is known to be beneficial in treating sexual debility, impotence, weakness of the senses, anemia, and blood disorders.
