Gondhovadulia or Skunkvine, Paederia foetida

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Gondhovadulia or Skunkvine (Paederia foetida, family: Rubiaceae) is a perennial twining climer having very unpleasant scented leaves and hairy shoots. The beautiful leafy climber is found everywhere in Bangladesh as homestead plant. It grows naturally in hilly forests of the country too. Beside Bangladesh it is also found in the countries of Southern Asia. 

Other names : Gondhovaduli, Gondhobadali, Badali-vadalia, Gondhal, Gandhal, Modhulota, Paduni pata; Bhadra & Prasarani (Sanskrit).

Leaves are simple, deep green, oblong-ovoid with cordate base, tip elongated, 5-10 cm long and 7 cm wide, hairy, long petioled. Its leaves produces almost the scent of human stool. But the truth is, its leaves are eaten as a very tasty vegetable in the Indian subcontinent. And these are used as effective medicine in the treatment of various kinds of diseases.


Flowers are in terminal or axillary inflorescence, almost 1 cm in length, campanulate, pink or white in outside, violet in inner side, Petals 5. Flowering occurs is autumn. Fruits is capsule, round, brown in color; single or 2-seeded, round-flat, yellowish or reddish brown. Propagation is caused by seeds and cuttings. 


Leaves are used in paralysis, urinal disorder, rheumatism, dysentery, piles, strangury and stomach disorder. Fruits are used in toothache. As a spectacular leafy climber and medicinal plant it is planted in medicinal gardens, parks and botanical gardens in Bangladesh.

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