Adenosma indiana (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Adenosma indiana (Lour.) Merr.
- Protologue: Comm. Fl. cochinch.: 351 (1935).
Synonyms
Adenosma capitata (Benth.) Benth. ex Hance (1873), Adenosma buchneroides Bonati (1913), Adenosma bilabiata (Roxb.) Merr. (1923).
Vernacular names
- Malaysia: rumput kuching-kuching, ruku hutan, tasek-tasek (Peninsular)
- Cambodia: mréch’ te:hs (general)
- Laos: hnha:z khauz kamx (Sédone)
- Thailand: phrik kratai (south-eastern), kratai cham (south-western), khao kam (eastern)
- Vietnam: nhân trần hoa dầu, bồ bồ, chè nội.
Distribution
India, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, southern China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Borneo and the Philippines.
Uses
In Malaysia, a decoction of the roots has been used internally to treat bowel complaints and rheumatism. The plant was also used as a poultice against pain in the abdomen. In Vietnam, the flowering tops are used as a diuretic, diaphoretic and cholagogue, and in tonics and alterative for women after childbirth and to treat fever and jaundice. In China, A. indiana is used to make a potion to soothe the body. It is also applied as an insecticide; it is put in bunches in rooms or spread on beds. The plants are also put on the body for perfume and decoration.
Observations
An erect annual herb up to 70 cm tall, stems white-hirsute; corolla 5-6 mm long, glabrous outside, violet; fruit 3.5 mm × 2.5 mm. A. indiana occurs in open deciduous forest, open shady grassland, rice fields and along watercourses up to 1200 m altitude.
Selected sources
121, 217, 249, 250, 533, 671, 731, 854, 971.
Main genus page
Authors
Nguyen Tap & Nguyen Kim Bich
