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Leptadenia pyrotechnica
Also called Kheep
Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Rajasthani: खींप/खीप; Punjabi: ਖਿੱਪ) is the botanical name of a desert herb of the family Apocynaceae. It is widespread from Senegal to India. It is known as khimp/khip in Rajasthani, and khipp in Punjabi.
Being highly drought-resistant, Leptadenia pyrotechnica has played an important role in the desert afforestation programs. The herb khimp is a strong soil binder and, as such, is one of the pioneer species in sand dune fixation.
The plant is used in thatching huts. The unripe 'pods' (actually follicles) of this shrub (known in Rajasthani as khimpoli (खींपोळी)) which ripen in the month of March, are of medicinal value and are also used as a vegetable. The fibre from the plant is used for making ropes. The plant itself is browsed by all stock, but most especially by camels for which it is considered a good fodder.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Leptadenia pyrotechnica by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
