Mapania meditensis D.A. Simpson
Null / Siran nenas (Bel.); Ekor tikus (Tut.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Terrestrial shrub that can reach up to 80 cm tall. Leaves are blade-like, leathery, shiny and tough, but somewhat flexible. Leaf blade is linear-oblong, cuspidate at apex, broadly obtuse or rounded at base becoming pseudopetiole with entire to toothed margin. Stems are absent. Rhizomes are robust, rhizomatous and often ascending. Inflorescence a solitary spike which is usually hidden within the leaf sheaths. Flowers are pale green or brown, often with pinkish tinge. Fruit
Flowers are boiled and the resultant infusion can be taken for dysentery, inflammatory bowel disease and worms. Fresh leaves are crushed with Kaempferia galanga (Kencur/ Cakur) and the poultice is applied externally to the affected area to treat leprosy. The plant exhibits antifungal, antibacterial, antiulcer,
It is often found in wastelands, on forest edges, along streams, along roadsides and swampy areas. It can survive on most soil types but prefers waterlogged soil under full sunlight.
Root division.
Native to Peninsular Thailand, Malay Peninsula and Borneo.
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