Plectranthus amboinicus
Content
Description
A more or less succulent herb, non-tuberous, 0.3-1 m.
Leaves thick, fleshy, broadly ovate, suborbicular or reniform, 5-7 by 4-6 cm, obtuse or rounded, base rounded or truncate, often long-attenuate, sparsely pubescent above and hirsute on the nerves beneath;
Flowers in dense, 10-20(or more)-flowered cymes forming subglobose verticillasters disposed in terminal spike-like inflorescences, rachis 10-20 cm, fleshy and pubescent.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: India, Tropical Africa present, warmer parts of the world, almost pantropic present
Possibly native in India, cultivated and introduced in manywarmer parts of the world, almost pantropic, throughout Malesia.
LAUNERT l.c. remarked on this widely spread popular spice which is commonly used in tropical Africa that it may well be native in tropical Africa and spread from there in early times.
LAUNERT l.c. remarked on this widely spread popular spice which is commonly used in tropical Africa that it may well be native in tropical Africa and spread from there in early times.
Uses
Cultivated for its fragrant, aromatic leaves and assumed medicinal properties. In Malaya used as a flavouring for drinks; also used for coughs of children and pains near stomach or heart. According to BURKILL () leaves are mixed with rice flour for offerings when a house is built. HEYNE wrote () that leaves are rubbed on hair and clothes during bathing. OCHSE & BAKHUIZEN (l.c. 350) reported that in Java fresh leaves are added to certain dishes of fish or goat's meat to remove the strong smell. In the Philippines macerated leaves are used with burns and also for bites of centipedes and scorpions; furthermore for dyspepsia, asthma, and as a medicine after childbirth.
Citation
ADAMS 1972: Fl. Jamaica. p 645
BLANCO 1878 – In: Fl. Filip., ed. 3. p 259
Merr. 1912 – In: Philip. J. Sc. Bot. 344
BTH. 1832: Lab. Gen. Sp. p 51
Koord. 1912 – In: Exk. Fl. Java. p 155
LOUR. 1918: Sp. Blanc. p 338
GURKE 1894 – In: Bot. Jahrb. p 210
BTH. 1848 – In: DC., Prod. 12. p 79
Merr. 1923 – In: En. Philip. p 418
BTH. 1832: Bot. Reg. sub t. 1520
Merr. 1937 – In: Addisonia. p 11
HASSK. 1844: Cat. Hort. Bog. p 130
Ridl. 1923 – In: Fl. Mal. Pen. p 646
OCHSE & BAKH. 1931: Ind. Groent: 350. f. 221
BLANCO 1845: Fl. Filip., ed. 2. p 337
VOOGD 1938: p. 61. – In: Trop. Natuur. f. 4
Miq. 1858 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat. p 948
WEEHUIZEN 1919 – In: Nat. Tijd. N. I. p 124
KENG 1969 – In: Gard. Bull. Sing. p 50
LOUR. 1912: Fl. Manila. p 410
BTH. 1848 – In: DC., Prod. 12. p 72
LOUR. 1917: Int. Rumph. p 459
PURSEGLOVE 1968 – In: Trop. Crops. p 634
LAUNERT 1968: p. 298. – In: Mitt. Bot. Mùnchen. pl. 2
Miq. 1858 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat. p 948
BTH. 1848 – In: DC., Prod. 12. p 71
BACK. & BAKH.f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java. p 637
Miq. 1858 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat. p 953
F.-VILL. 1880: Nov. App. p 163
BURK. 1935: Dict. p 634
QUIS. 1951: Medic. Pl. Philip. p 813