Melastoma malabathricum var. Alba L.
White Straits Rhododendron / Kudok-kudok/Senduduk (Bru.); Kudok-kudok putih (Tut.)(Bel.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial erect shrub or small tree that can reach up to 1 m tall. Leaves are simple, arranged oppositely, papery, rough at the surfaces while on the underside of the leaves are bristly. Leaf blade is narrowly elliptic, acuminate at apex, cuneate at base with entire margin and tri-veined. Stems are branching, quadrangular and often reddish. Young barks are rough, covered with bristles. Old barks have netting marks and are brownish. Flowers are large, white and star-shaped. Inflorescence a terminal panicle. Fruit a green berry.
Leaves (preferably 7 sheets) are made into an infusion with one cup of boiling water for at least 3 hours and the resultant infusion is taken 3 times daily as tonic drink after childbirth. The leaves are also eaten as salad for general health. Antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-Inflammatory, antinociceptive, antimelanogenic, antiulcerogenic, anticancer, antibacterial, cytotoxicity, wound healing and antiphotoaging activities are reported for the
It thrives in mixed forests, lowland areas, on slopes and stony areas. It prefers moist but well-drained clay loamy soil under full sunlight, however it still performs well in poor soil.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Considered native to tropical and temperate Asia and the Pacific Islands.
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