Phanji / Fanda / फांजी / Common Night Glory / Midnapore Creeper / Rivea hypocrateriformis (Desr.) Choisy

Other Names

  • Local Name: Phanji / Fanda / फांजी
  • Common Name: Common Night Glory / Midnapore Creeper
  • Botanical Name: Rivea hypocrateriformis (Desr.) Choisy

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Climber
  • Occurrence: River banks, roadsides, grassy fields, wastelands
  • Season of Availability: December-February
  • Geography: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand
  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation
  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves
  • Can be Eaten Raw: No

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: No
  • Ripe: N/A
  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A
  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw plant
  • As Food: Leaves and young shoots are typically boiled or used in sabjis. Boiled leaves are also a healthy green.
  • As Medicine: Used in folk medicine to treat fever, rheumatic pain and cough.
  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Yes
  • Boiling Before Cooking: Yes
  • Pickling: N/A
  • Brining: N/A
  • Fermenting: N/A
  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A
  • Overall Method: Leaves and young shoots are typically boiled or used in sabjis. Boiled leaves are also a healthy green.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: High energy, vitamin A, and micronutrient content.
  • Medicinal Benefit: Childbirth, High energy imparting, Relieves headaches

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Used in ayurvedic medicine to treat fever, rheumatic pain and cough.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Masala paanachi wadi:
    Mix rice flour, besan, spices, and water to form a thick paste. Spread the mixture on leafy greens, roll them, and secure the ends with paste. Toast the rolls in oil on a skillet, covering them with a stale chapatti for thorough cooking.

Phanji / Fanda / फांजी / Common Night Glory / Midnapore Creeper / Rivea hypocrateriformis (Desr.) Choisy