Begonia malabarica Lam.
Null / Bidang setampik (Bru.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial herb that can reach up to 2 m high. Leaves are simple, glossy, covered with bristly hairs with pinkish-white midrib and unequal sides of the leaves. Leaf blade is ovate, acute at apex, broadly rounded or cordate at base with hairy and toothed margin. Stems are rounded at one side, pinkish, flat at the other side and glabrous. Inflorescence a cyme developing at leaf axils. Flowers are small, pinkish- white and many-flowered. Fruit a
In Belize, the leaf juice is used to treat toothache. The whole plant is made into a herbal bath to treat body pain. A decoction of the leaves is consumed to treat stomach and body chills.
It thrives in semi evergreen forests. It prefers moist but well-drained soil under shade.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Native to India and Sri Lanka.
None