Pulivanji (Solena amplexicaulis)

Pulivanji is a wild cucumber climber of Indian forests and hedges, named for its leaves that sit almost stalkless against the stem. It grows from a tuberous root and sends up new vines each monsoon. Its small red fruits are a common sight on forest edges in the rains. It is easy to mistake for kovai or musumusukkai, other wild climbing gourds. Older books call it Solena heterophylla or Melothria heterophylla.

Botanical name: Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Tamil: Pulivanji
Hindi: Ban kakra
Parts used: Tuber, Fruit in some kitchens
Habit: Clasping-stem wild cucumber; not kovai and not musumusukkai
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Pulivanji

It is a slender perennial climber with simple, unbranched tendrils and a swollen, tuberous root.

The leaves vary greatly on one plant, from entire to deeply three- to five-lobed, which explains the old name heterophylla.

The leaves are almost stalkless, with a heart-shaped base that seems to clasp the stem.

Small yellow flowers appear in the axils, males in clusters and females single.

The fruit is a smooth, oval berry two to five centimetres long that turns from green to bright red.

Traditional use of Pulivanji

Kitchen

In parts of eastern and north-eastern India and Nepal, young fruits and leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Regional rural food practice

Folk use

The tuber appears in Tamil and tribal folk remedies, though uses vary widely between regions.

Tamil and tribal folk practice

Modern notes on Pulivanji

Laboratory studies have tested extracts of the plant, but there are no clinical trials in people.

Kovai, Coccinia grandis, has stalked, ivy-shaped leaves, white flowers and green fruits with white stripes.

Musumusukkai, Mukia maderaspatana, is rough and hairy all over, with small red berries.

Pulivanji safety

Wild gourds can contain bitter cucurbitacins that cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Taste a tiny piece and discard any fruit that is bitter, and do not eat the tuber without guidance from someone who knows the plant.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows from the Indian subcontinent to Myanmar and southern China, in forests, scrub and hedges.

The tuber survives the dry season underground.

Birds eat the red fruits and spread the seeds.

Related plants

Also in Cucurbitaceae

Questions about Pulivanji

Is Pulivanji the same as kovai?

No. Kovai has stalked leaves and striped fruit.

Is Pulivanji the same as musumusukkai?

No. Musumusukkai is rough and hairy.

Can the fruit of Pulivanji be eaten?

Young, non-bitter fruits are cooked in some regions.

Why are the leaves so varied?

One plant can carry entire and lobed leaves.

When does Pulivanji grow?

It sprouts from the tuber with the monsoon.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.