Floscopa scandens (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Floscopa scandens Lour.
- Protologue: Fl. cochinch. 1: 193 (1790).
- Family: Commelinaceae
- Chromosome number: 2n= 12, 22, 24, 54
Vernacular names
- Malaysia: hawar-hawar, rumput tapak itek, rumput johong beraleh (Peninsular)
- Philippines: pugad-labuyo, aligbangon (Tagalog), sambilau (Samar-Leyte Bisaya)
- Thailand: phak bieo (Chiang Rai), phak plaap (central), yaa plong khon (Nakhon Ratchasima)
- Vietnam: cỏ dầu rìu hoa chùy, dầu rìu leo.
Origin and geographic distribution
F. scandens is widely distributed from Nepal, India and Sri Lanka, through Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, southern China, Thailand and throughout the Malesian region, to northern Australia.
Uses
In Peninsular Malaysia the juice of F. scandens is squeezed into the eyes to treat sore eyes and ophthalmia. A decoction of whole plants is used internally after childbirth, and the plant is also used externally on broken bones. In India, the juice is also applied to sore eyes.
Botany
A perennial herb up to 100 cm tall, erect from a creeping base. Leaves arranged spirally, simple and entire, lanceolate, 3-10 cm × 1-3.5 cm, acute, pubescent, with parallel veins, with distinct, pubescent leaf-sheaths at base. Inflorescence a terminal, sometimes axillary cyme 2-10 cm long, dense and many-flowered, with racemiform branches, densely patently glandular-hairy. Flowers bisexual, slightly zygomorphic, 3-merous, small; pedicel 1.5-3 mm long; sepals ovate to oblong, 2.5-3.5 mm long, free, greenish to violet, long glandular-hairy outside; petals slightly longer than sepals, posterior ones oblong, anterior one narrower and lanceolate, free, glabrous, violet; stamens 6, all fertile, slightly unequal; ovary superior, 2-celled, stipitate, style 1, sometimes 2. Fruit an ellipsoid capsule c. 3 mm long, enclosed by the calyx, loculicidally opening with 2 valves, 2-seeded. Seeds oblong-ellipsoid, c. 2 mm long, ribbed.
Floscopa comprises about 20 species and is pantropical. Africa is richest in species. Only the polymorphic F. scandens occurs in the Asiatic region.
Ecology
F. scandens occurs along watersides, in swampy, sunny or shaded localities, up to 1500 m altitude.
Genetic resources
F. scandens is widespread and common in many regions, and consequently not in danger of genetic erosion.
Prospects
As long as data on phytochemistry and pharmacological activity are lacking, the value of F. scandens as a medicinal plant cannot be determined. The usage for eye diseases deserves particular attention in research.
Literature
62, 121.
Other selected sources
760.
Main genus page
Authors
Umi Kalsom Yusuf
