Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f) Lindau
Snake GraSS / Belalai gajah (Bru.)
Acanthaceae
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Terrestrial erect herb or shrub that can grow up to 3 m in height. Leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, hairy when young becoming glabrescent when mature. Leaf blade is elliptic or ovate- lanceolate, acuminate or acute at apex, oblique or cuneate at base with wavy or entire margin and pinnate venation. Stems are striped with parallel ridges and glabrescent. Inflorescence a terminal raceme. Flowers are dull red to orange-red. Fruit a hairy capsule.
Locally, the fresh leaves are eaten as vegetables to treat cancer and diabetes. In other countries, the plant is used to treat various diseases and injuries such as skin rashes, burns, fever and snakebite. It possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antivenom, antioxidant and immune response activities.
It thrives in lowland areas, near forest margins and in thickets. It prefers fertile loamy soil under full sun or partial shade.
Stem cutting.
Native to tropical Asia.
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