Plumbago zeylanica

Plumbago zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. 1: 151 (1753).

(Plumbago zeylanica L.; Photo TuanNguyen)

Vietnamese name: Bạch hoa xà, Nhài công, Đuôi công hoa trắng, Cây mộng mắt, Bươm bướm, Lài dưa, Lá đinh, Bạch tuyết hoa, Pít pì khao (Tày), Lài dây, Co nhả cam (Thái), Kèng péo mía (Dao)

Chinese name: 白花丹 bai hua dan

English Name: White Leadwort, Ceylon Leadwort

Latin Name: Plumbago zeylanica L.

Synonym Name: Findlaya alba Bowdich; Molubda scandens (L.) Raf.; Plumbagidium scandens (L.) Spach; Plumbago scandens L.; Plumbago viscosa Blanco; Plumbago zeylanica var. zeylanica; Thela alba Lour.

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Description: hite, tube 1.8-2.2 cm, limb 1.6-1.8 cm in diam.; lobes obovate to oblong-lanceolate, ca. 7 X (2-)4 mm, apex mucronate to acuminate. Anthers blue, ca. 2 mm. Ovary ellipsoid, 5-angular. Style glabrous. Capsules pale yellow-brown, oblong. Seeds red-brown, ca. 7 X 1.5 X 0.6 mm, apex acute. Flowering: October to March of the following year, fruiting: February to April of the following year

Distribution: It is found in China, Hawaii, Old World tropics. In Viet Nam plants grow naturally and are grown for medicinal purposes in families.

Ecological: 100-1600 m. Fl. Oct-Mar

Chemistry: Roots mainly contain plumbagin, elliptinone and maritinone, etc. Whole plant contains plumbagin, vanillic acid and plumbagic acid.

Pharmacology: Anti-fertility, antimicrobial and anti-coagulation.

Part Used: Medical part: whole plant or roots. Chinese name: Baihuadan.

Harvest & Processing: Can be harvested throughout the year, chopped into segments, sun-dried or used fresh.

Uses: Tuberculosis, pimples, tinea (leaf, alcohol-soaked roots). Joint and body aches (Alcohol-soaked stems), antibacterial drugs. Note the tree is poisonous and burns the skin.

Examples: Rheumatic arthritis and backleg pain: white Leadwort root 9-15g. Decoct in water and swallow (decoct long for more than 3-4 hours).

Reference:

- theplantlist.org

- efloras.org

- libproject.hkbu.edu.hk