Plectranthus rotundifolius
Content
Description
Decumbent or ascending herb, 0.4-1 m;
Leaves thick-membranaceous, juicy, faintly aromatic when bruised, ovate to broadly ovate or suborbicular, 2-5(-6) by 1.5-3.5(-4) cm, rounded, base cuneate;
Flowers 4-6 in a verticillaster.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: India present; Jawa (Jawa cultivated); Malaya cultivated; Maluku (Maluku cultivated); Philippines (Philippines cultivated); Sumatera (Sumatera cultivated), Ceylon cultivated, Madagascar cultivated, continental Asia cultivated
India, frequently cultivated in Madagascar, Ceylon, throughout continental Asia and in Malesia: Sumatra, Malaya, Java, Philippines, Moluccas.
The native country is not definitely known; it may have originated in cultivation in ancient time. It was already well-known to RUMPHIUS.
The native country is not definitely known; it may have originated in cultivation in ancient time. It was already well-known to RUMPHIUS.
Uses
The white, starchy, slightly aromatic tubers become dark with age. They are eaten cooked or steamed, sometimes even raw; they are also mixed with sayor. Adult tubers are also used as a substitute for potatoes, for the preparation of minced meatballs. BURKILL () says they should be consumed in small quantities, as they are somewhat indigestible. HEYNE (l.c. 1335) says cultivation in Java is mostly in loose soil on fallow rice-fields, in West Java (Banten, Djakarta) and East Java (Bagelen, Kedum Jogja); harvested after 3-4 months. HARTLEY () listed it as a potential anti-cancerogene.
Citation
Ridl. 1923 – In: Fl. Mal. Pen.: 646
BTH. 1848 – In: DC., Prod. 12: 79
Merr. 1917: Int. Rumph.: 459
HASSK. 1844: Cat. Hort. Bog.: 129
ALSTON 1931 – In: Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceyl. 6: Suppl. 236
Hook.f. 1885 – In: Fl. Br. Ind.: 625
BTH. 1848 – In: DC., Prod. 12: 65
PURSEGLOVE 1968 – In: Trop. Crops: 634
HEYNE 1927: Nutt. Pl.: 1335
F.-VILL. 1880: Nov. App.: 163
Koord. 1912 – In: Exk. Fl. Java: 157
CHEV. 1938 – In: Rev. Bot. Appl. Agr. Col.: 482
Miq. 1858 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 953
OCHSE & BAKH. 1931: Ind. Groent: 351: f. 222
BACK. &. BAKH.f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 637
BURK. 1935: Dict.: 636