Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don
Madagascar Periwinkle / Bunga pasir/Tahi ayam (Bru.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial semi- woody sub-shrub or herb that can reach up to 1 m tall. Leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, thinly leathery, glabrous to shortly hairy, adaxially glossy green and abaxially pale green. Leaf blade is oblong-elliptic to narrowly obovate, apiculate at apex, cuneate at base with entire margin and pinnate venation. Stems are erect, woody at the base and producing white latex that exudates unpleasant smell Zhen Eruised. Inflorescence a cyme borne at terminal branch. Flowers are pink or white and often solitary. Fruit a green cylindrical pod that contain many small black seeds.
Locally, the chopped corms are tied in a cloth and boiled in hot water. The juices from the heated corms are used to treat rheumatism, baldness, piles, as a laxative and as an antidote against insect stings, stinging nettles. Stems and leaves are applied to skin to cure wounds, burns and snakebites. Leaves are eaten to treat sore throat, dysentery and stomachache. The plant is known for its antihepatotoxic, hypolipidemic, antihyperlipidemic, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti- inflammator\ and anticancer activities. >@
It is found growing in wastelands and near coastal areas. It prefers moist but well-drained sandy loamy soil under full sunlight to partially shade.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Native to Madagascar.
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