Local name:Hekku heruman
Community:Kattunaika
Description:
The tuber is irregular in shape and borne on a long thread. It is characterized by its black-coloured stem and spines at the base as well as the nodal regions. This is also very rare in distribution and seen only in moist deciduous forests. Flowers are scented attracting honeybee, stem with spines stem and leaf petiole pinkish in colour, tuber is tastiest among Dioscorea , bigger than that of Heruman.
Local name:Heruman
Community:Kattunaika
Description:
In ‘Heruman’, the number of tubers is usually three and is irregularly shaped. Kattunaika consume this usually in the form of curry. ‘Heruman’ is rare in distribution and seen only in dry deciduous forests.
Local name:Mooda venni
Community:Kattunaika
Description:
In ‘Mooda venni’, tuber-bearing stalk is small and the stem base is spinous. This tuber is less fibrous and thus eaten afresh or in the form of dishes. The aerial part of this plant bears bulbils, which are very similar to that of D. alata. The month of March to April is ideal for its harvest. Live specimen is preserved as germplasm accession in MSSBG conservatory. The plant has propagated through tubers and bulbils.
Local name:Cholavalli kizhangu/ Chola hekku kalasu
Community:Kattunaika
Description:
Kattunaika of Samippara region call this species as ‘Chola hekku kalasu’, which is edible. A similar species has noticed at Silent Valley region and the some tribal areas of Wayanad district.
Local name:Choora ganasu / Chorakalangu
Community:Adiya
Description:
Only found in Semi evergreen forests of Thalakaveri at altitudes of 3,814 ft and a latitude and longitude of 12° 23.09 N, 075° 30.45 E.
Local name:Shoddi Kalasu :
Community:Kattunaika
Description:
Consumed by Kattunaika tribe. Short climbers. Tubers 3–6, clavate, lower end conical, born on long stalk from stem base, stalk 20–45 cm long, tuber 30–50 cm long, surface smooth, rootlets small, skin whitish yellow, flesh white to lemon yellow, very mucilaginous and grows horizontally. Leaves alternate to opposite, simple and lamina oblong-elliptic.
Local name:Ere kalasu
Community:Kattunaika
Description:
Consumed by Kattunaika tribe. Short climbers. Tuber solitary, rod shaped, tuber 30–80 cm long,
ca. 4 cm diameter, surface smooth, rootlets small, skin whitish yellow, flesh white to lemon yellow, very mucilaginous and grows horizontally.
Very restricted in distribution; located in dry deciduous forest in Muthanga
Wildlife Sanctuary in Wayanad district.
Ref: Dr. V Balakrishnan and Dr. N Anil Kumar, Biodiversity of Sustainable development (2017): volume 3