trivrit :

Taxonomical Classification

Kingdom: Plantae - Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta - Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta - Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae - Morning-glory family
Genus: Operculina Silva Manso – lidpod
Species: Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso

Allied species:

Ipomoea turpethum Linn., Operculina ipomoea Linn.

VERNACULAR NAMES

Sanskrit: Trivrt, Tribhandi, Suvaha, Triputa, Sarala, Recani
English: False jalap, Indian jalap, Turpeth, Turbith
Hindi: Nisot, Pitohari; Naakapathra, Peethohari.
Urdu: Turbood
Telugu: Doodh-kulmee, Tegarh
Bengali: Teuri, Tendi, Dudh, Kalani
Marathi: Nishotar, Setvat
Konkani: Phutkari
Oriya: Dudholomi
Gujarathi: Nasotar, Nahotar
Tamil: Tella-tegada, Sivadhai, Kumbam
Malayalam: Chivak; Trikolpakkonna, Triputa, Shweta, Shivatha, Rochani
Kannada: Vilitigade; Sigade
Punjabi: Nishot
Arabic: Turbud
Assamese: Doodh kulmi, Pithori
Greek: Jalpenus De Ipomoenus

Varities:

There are two kinds of Operculina turpethum mentioned by Charaka:

(1) Aruna (brown)

(2) Shyama (Black)

On the other hand Susruta mentions as Mahasyama or Mahatrivrt. (S.S. Su. 44.6)

The Aruna or the brown or reddish variety is eventually the turpeth root which has been widely recommended to be used as the best and safest purgative drug. Other ones still remain botanically ascertains. It is Bhavaprakasha that he has clearly mentioned SHVEDA Trivrt and SHYAMA Trivrt. It is probable Bhavamisra may have meant white for Sanskrit word Arun.

The white Trivrt has no properties of the black or genuine one. The white one is really MURVA of Sanskrit writers. Murva or Marsdenia tenacissima has no purgative activity. Arunabha Trivrt is considered best and ideal laxative drug in comparison to Syama Trivrt.

There exists confusion between the varieties of Trivrt and Vidhara, but with present state of knowledge it is not possible to associate them.

Actually the drug Trivrt is the root of Operculina turpethum Silva Manso has two varieties on account of its stages with colour distinction.