Dianella ensifolia (L.) DC.
Umbrella Dracaena / Sapal (Bru.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial herbaceous plant of 80 cm tall. Leaves are resembling a blade, growing in clumps of 7-9 per shoot, alternately arranged and leathery. Leaf blade is linear-lanceolate, acuminate or apex at apex, gradually narrowed and sheathing towards the base with rough margin and parallel venation. Stems are slightly flattened. Inflorescence a terminal panicle. Flowers are small and white with purple tinge. Fruit a globose, glossy, deep blue berry that contains few seeds. Rhizome are branching, creeping and clumping.
The rhizome is eaten raw or made into decoction along with Piper betle (Sirih) and Garcinia celebica (Asam aur-aur) for after childbirth treatment. Preclinical data shows it exhibits antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, contraceptive, cardioprotective, antitumour, antihyperlipidaemic, antidiabetic, antidepressant, healing, antispasmodic, antiviral, antiasthmatic and analgesic activities.
It can grow in various soil types and can tolerate poor soil. It prefers dry soil under a condition of full sunlight to shade.
Stem cutting and seeds.
Distributed in Borneo, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula and Indo-China regions.
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