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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Withania somnifera is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Physalis somnifera. Withania kansuensis. Withania microphysalis
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Curdling agent
The seeds are used to curdle plant milks in order to make vegetarian cheeses[183, 240].
References
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Abortifacient Adaptogen Antibiotic Aphrodisiac Astringent Deobstruent Diuretic Narcotic
Sedative Tonic
Clinical research data do not support the use of ashwagandha for any condition [301]. Ashwagandha is one of the most widespread tranquillisers used in India, where it holds a position of importance similar to ginseng in China[238]. It acts mainly on the reproductive and nervous systems, having a rejuvenative effect on the body, and is used to improve vitality and aid recovery after chronic illness[238, 254]. The plant is little known in the West[192]. The whole plant, but especially the leaves and the root bark, are abortifacient, adaptogen, antibiotic, aphrodisiac, deobstruent, diuretic, narcotic, strongly sedative and tonic[169, 192, 238, 240]. Internally, it is used to tone the uterus after a miscarriage and also in treating post-partum difficulties[192]. It is also used to treat nervous exhaustion, debility, insomnia, wasting diseases, failure to thrive in children, impotence, infertility, multiple sclerosis etc[238]. Externally it has been applied as a poultice to boils, swellings and other painful parts[192, 240]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant since it is toxic[K]. The fruit is diuretic[240]. The seed is diuretic and hypnotic[240].
References
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Edible Shrubs provides detailed information, attractively presented, on over 70 shrub species. They have been selected to provide a mix of different plant sizes and growing conditions. Most provide delicious and nutritious fruit, but many also have edible leaves, seeds, flowers, stems or roots, or they yield edible or useful oil.
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Other Uses
Repellent Soap
The fruit is rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute[169, 192]. The leaves are an insect repellent[169].
Special Uses
References
Cultivation details
A fairly easily grown plant, it requires a warm sheltered position in full sun and a well-drained moderately fertile soil[169, K]. Prefers a dry stony soil[238]. This species is not hardy in temperate climates but it can be grown as an annual, flowering and fruiting in its first year from seed[169].
References
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. There is usually a high germination rate within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frost. Consider giving the plants some protection, such as a cloche, until they are established and growing away well.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Aksan, Ashwagandha, Cheese tree, Gisewa, Indian ginseng, Karama anta, Kuaak, Kuak, Kuthmithi, Winter cherry, Zafua, 'ubab, 'ubâb, a sh a ga n dha, achuvagandi, acuvakanthi, agol, ahan, ajagandha, aksan, aksin, amukkara in tamil, amukkaram kizargu, amukkaramkizangu, amukkara (root), amukkara ki?a?ku, amukkira, amukkram, amukkuram, amukkuran, angarberu, asagand, asagandh, asagandh nagori, asagandha, asan, asana, asgand, asgand asgand nagori, asgandh, asgandh nagori, asgandha, asgandnagar, asganhisrol, asgvagandha, ashuvagandhi, ashvaganadha, ashvagandba, ashvagandha, ashvakandika, ashwaganda, ashwagandha, ashwagandha root, ashwaganha, ashwahandha, askagandha, askagandha as'vagandha, askandha, askandhatilli, asoda, asugandha, asun, asundha, asunyho, asuvagandi, asvagandha, asvagandhi, aswagandha, aswal, aswgandh, asvagandha (root), babu, bitterappeliefie, bofepha, bouzidân, bufera somnifera, bâibru, cheparusiot, chepepterekiat, cherry winter, coqueret sommnifere, coqueret somnifère, dambarico, duffhro, e-gaddy, emotoe, erva moura sonífera, foakapoaka, fuqqueish, gandhrapatri, ghoda, ghodakun, ghodasan, ginseng indiano, girbah, gisawa, gizara, gizawa, gizewa, hayagandha, hayagandhã, hayagandha, heilkraut, hidi-budawa, hidigaga, hindib, hirchil, hiremaddina- gida, hiremaddina-gadday, hiremaddina-gaddy, hiremaddina-gida, hirenaddina-hire-gadday, idi, idigaga, indian ginseng, isgand, juustumari, kabarra, kakani hindi, kakanj hindi, kaknaj-e-hindi, kaknja-e-hindi, kanaje hindi, kanchuki, khasraqul, kilangee, kipkogai, kuvia, labotwit, lakri, leekurun, lesayet, lopotwo, malagueta de galinha, merjan, mgeda, mhulapori, moferangopa, morgan, mosala-marupi, mpwa, mtemua shamba, mtemua shimba, murambae, nhulapori, ofuyaendwa, ol asajet, olasaiyet, oroval, orval, oshilumembodi, otjindumbu, ouartinni, palashaparni, penneroogadda, penneru, pennerugadda, pevette, poc poc sauvage, poc-poc sauvage, poison gooseberry, pontadeira, punir, radix withaniae, samm al ferakh, samm al-far, samoah, samwah, schlafbeere, sebbere-gola, senn-el-far, serran, sim-alfirakh, simm el ferakh, sum-ul-far, sum-ul-firakh, tatdra, tchintueumbuo, techil, ti-poc-poc, ubab, ubub, ubuvimba, ubuvuma, umuhire, umuire, umuvimba, uva caneça, u’beb, vajigandha, varahapatri, vimhepe, virenaddlinagadda, vajigandha, winter cherry, winter cherry|amukkara, winter chirry, winter-cherry, witania, withania, withania somnifera root, withania somnifera root for use in thmp, xharkhardii, xoxoriko, za'o|'o, ||auemas, ||auhaib.
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Canary Islands, China, East Africa, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mediterranean, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tasmania, Turkey, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(L.)Dunal.
Botanical References
266
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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