Merremia peltata (L.) Merr.
Null / Akar bilaran (Bru.); Akar sambang (M.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial large woody liana that is usually tangled over thickets and can climb up to 30 m tall. Leaves are simple, alternately arranged, heart-shaped and adaxially covered with rounded blisters. Leaf blade is ovate or orbicular, cuspidate at apex, cordate at base with entire margin and reticulate veins. Stems are branching, hollow and covered with warty pale lenticels. Inflorescence a cyme arising at leaf axils. Flowers are large, bright yellow and bell-shaped. The yellow-flowered form only occurs in West Malaysia and Borneo. Fruit an ovoid, black capsule. Seeds are pale, oblong-ovoid and covered
In West Africa, the fruit is used to treat eye problems while the decoction is drunk for gonorrhea treatment. The plant is internally used for gonorrhea in India. The plant exhibits antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, cathartic, expectorant, hypoglycemic,
It is usually found on hill slopes, forest edges, along roadsides, near streams and in lowlands. It prefers moist but well-drained clay loamy soil under full sunlight.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Distributed in West Malaysia and Borneo.
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