Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites
Spiny Lasia / Bungor/Tabu-tabu (Br.)(Dus.); Bungar (Tut.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Terrestrial plant that can reach up to 2 m high. Leaves are simple, in alternate arrangement, spiky and leathery. Young leaves are arrow-shaped becoming palmately lobed when mature. Leaf blade is very variable from sagittate-hastate to simple or divided. Stems are long, erect, creeping with prickly internodes. Inflorescence in clusters arising at terminal branch. Flowers are creamy-white and enclosed by green or purplish spathe. Fruit a green berry.
Locally, the dried or fresh leaves are soaked in warm water as herbal bath to treat after childbirth and bloating. It is often added with different herbs such as Blumea balsamifera (Daun sembong), Pandanus amaryllifolius (Serai wangi), Leucosyke capitellata (Balik angin), Dillenia suffruticosa (Daun simpur) and some ferns such as Blechnum orientale (Paku-paku) and Lygodium microphyllum (Ribu-ribu). It is also believed that the fresh leaves can provide protection from evil spirits. The plant is known for its antiproliferative, antimicrobial
It thrives in swampy areas, near villages, near streams and disturbed areas. It prefers fertile loamy clay soil under full sunlight to partial shade.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Native to Temperate and Tropical Asia from China to India to Southeast Asia.
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