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Cassia

Cassia Obtusifolia

Photo by Wild Things
Published on Project Noah
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19.97, 72.73

Field Notes

Description:

Common weed growing throughout in India. Grows by itself from fallen seeds, in rains. Yellow flowers which bear the pods. Pods have 10-15 Local people use the seeds and leaves as a laxative.

Habitat:

Almost throughout India in the plains.

Notes:

The endosperm of the seeds is used as a gelling agent. The main use of which, is in wet/canned pet food as approved by European Union. It is mixed with Carragennan(which is derived from seaweed) to form gels. So next time when you feed your Cat/Dog with canned pet food which is based on a gel, you know what you are giving them.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (15)
Wild Things
Thanks Sanjay and Emma. I will get some pictures of reetha. Sure she might be knowing, it is my duty as a good son-in-law to pass on the info. Helps me to get some brownie points? :D
HemaShah
The botanical name for reetha is " Sapindus mucorosai" See if you can spot a tree. Would like to see the picture! http://www.organicindia.com/PR_OH_reetha.php I bet you a million bucks,your mom in law already knows about it!!
SanjaySaklani
That is one of the most common formula used by Indian ladies to nourish their hair
Wild Things
Great info-Thanks. My mom-in-law should like this.
HemaShah
I found this recipe on Yahoo answers. Take one handful each of dried reetha, shikakai and amla. Add them to one litre of water and allow them to soak overnight. The next day, simmer the herbs with the water on a low fire, till the water reduces to half the quantity. Do not boil it on a high fire. Allow the mixture to cool and strain it through a clean cloth. Use the liquid to wash your hair. This quantity should be enough for four washes. Keep your home-made hair cleanser in the refrigerator for further use. http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101118031851AAfMLfs
Wild Things
Not sure of Reetha, but the use of these seeds, has come to knowledge recently.
HemaShah
I remember that sometimes my grandma boiled something like Reetthas which gave a soapy mixture to shampoo her hair.Is there anything like that?
Wild Things
No Emma, Cassia Obtusifloia. Common Indian Names: Takda in Marathi. Puwad, Charota, in Hindi. Kuwad/Puwad in Gujarati.
Wild Things
The endosperm of the seeds from these plants are used to make a thickener which is used in Nature fusion series from Pantene.
Ashish
Green leaf branches are used in daily vegetable cooking in Kokan region during monsoon. In case of small fresh shrubs.

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Seeds and Seed Pods
Photographed
PublishedJune 25, 2011

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