Nal – नल
It is a tall perennial grass or cane. It is one of the several reed
species and can easily grow up to 6m, and may even exceed
10m.
The stem is cylindrical, unbranched and hollow. It has a thick,
tough, knotty rhizome.
The leaves are alternate, smooth, long, grey-green in color with
a tapering tip. They have hairlike structures at their base.
The flowers are borne on large terminal panicle inflorescences.
They are upright, pale brown in color and feathery with minute
sessile flowers.
Seeds are small, flat and oval.
BOTANICAL NAME
Arundo donax L
FAMILY
Poaceae
FLOWERING
October – December
FRUITING
October – December
PROPAGATION
It can be propagated by seeds and vegetative cuttings.
PLANT PART USED
Whole Plant
COMMON NAMES:
Giant Reed, Spanish Cane, Colorado River Reed, Wild Cane;
Hindi: Baranal, Baru, Doka, Nala, Nal, Jivnal, Naldura;
Marathi: Nal, Jivnal;
Kannada: Baalada Kaddi, Bilee Laalada Kaddi, Hulagilu Hullu;
Malayalam: Oodappullu;
Manipuri: Yengdou;
Sanskrit: Dhamana, Nala, Potagala;
Tamil: Caravanam, Koraikkuccu, Korukachi.
Telugu: Adavikikasa-Gaddi, Adavikikkasagadi, Kaki Veduru.
USES
Rhizome is used for dropsy.
Rhizome has anti-cancer properties.
It can be used for wound healing.
It is used in men to treat low sperm count.
It is a diuretic.
It is a tonic for the gastrointestinal system.
It is used to treat fevers.
It has anti-inflammatory properties.
