Sarhati / Indian Snake Root
Ophiorrhiza mungos
Also known as Mongoose Plant
- Habit
- Undershrub
- Found in India
- Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & more
- Flowering
- January-November
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Ophiorrhiza mungos
- Genus
- Ophiorrhiza
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Habit
- Undershrub
- Habitat
- Semi-Evergreen forests and in the plains
- Habitat type
- Forest
- Native to
- India
- Distribution
- India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Java
- Found in India
- Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal
- Flowering & fruiting
- January-November
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Arrangement
- Opposite
Typical of the Rubiaceae family — a field-mark hint, not measured for this exact species.
Flower & fruit characters
Typical of the Rubiaceae family — flowering plants only; individual species can differ.
Local Names
- Hindi
- Sarahati, सरहटी Sarhati
- Tamil
- Aravakkiriti, ஸர்பாக்ஷீ Sarpakshi-Chettu, நாகவல்லீ Nagavalli
- Kannada
- Garuda paathaala, garuda patala, Mungasee gida
- Malayalam
- Avilpori, Chembajarinjil, Pera-aratha
- Marathi
- Mungusavela, नागवेली Nagvelli
About Sarhati
Indian snake root (Ophiorrhiza mungos) is an undershrub belonging to the Rubiaceae family (Coffee/Madder family). Members of this family are generally characterised by opposite simple leaves, cymose/panicle/head flower clusters, berry/drupe/capsule fruit. It is typically found in semi-evergreen forests and in the plains. It is native to India. Flowering and fruiting are typically seen during January-November. The species is valued in traditional medicine.
Rubiaceae
Coffee/Madder family
Sarhati belongs to the Rubiaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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