Cantella asiatica

Cantella asiatica belongs to the family Apiaceae.

‘White’ Fungi

In Southeast Sulawesi, elders use this fungus to treat infections. Its fresh body was put into a jar filled with warm coconut oil and stored for at least one week before use. They found growing on roots of a dead coconut tree.

‘Orange’ Fungi

I’m starting an interest in fungi species, this was my first capture. I still don’t know about fungi classification, but I’m learning on it. Experts opinion on this species would help my learning project, indeed it would be my honor. This one captured my attention by its bright orange color, found growing on a dead bamboo tree. The pictures were taken on 2 December 2018. Location: Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Mansoa alliacea

Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A.H.Gentry belongs to the family of Bignoniaceae. This plant is an ornamental creeper and is known as ‘garlic creeper’ or ‘garlic vine’ due to the garlic-like odor of its flowers. This odor has been reported due to the presence of organosulfur compounds. The flowers develop in a combination of white and purple colors. This species also has medicinal values which can be referred to in the following review:
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-695X2009000500025

A cluster of *Mansoa alliacea* flowers
(Taken on June 2016, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia)

Phaleria macrocarpa

Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. belongs to the family of Thymelaeaceae. It is known as “Mahkota Dewa” in Indonesia and is used as an ornamental plant and for self-medication purposes. The plant, in particular, the ripe fruit (red in color) is used to treat hypertension, flu, and cancerous growths by taking its decoction. Further useful information regarding this species is provided in the following review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3731883/

Leaves of *Phaleria macrocarpa*
(Taken on February 2019, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia)

Euphorbia tirucalli

Euphorbia tirucalli L. (Euphorbiaceae) is an ornamental plant and is locally known as ‘patah tulang’ in Indonesia. The plant produced latex that reported to be poisonous. However, the plant has been used in medicinal folklore to treat asthma, warts, rheumatism, neuralgia, etc. Further information can be obtained in the following review: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169117305178.

Arachis pintoi

Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C.Greg is a species of the family Leguminosae. The species grows wildly in open fields and can dominate the area. Although the plant is not categorized as an ornamental plant, a cluster of A. pintoi during the flowering season exhibited a stunning view of yellow beds of flowers. On the picture, there is a bee inside the flower, collecting the nectar.

Trimezia steyermarkii

Trimezia stereymarkii R.C. Foster (Iridaceae). The species is an ornamental plant due to its unique leaves and flowers. This species grows in wetlands but is able to tolerate to drylands.

A flower of T. steyermarkii
(Taken on April 2016, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia)

A flower of T. steyermarkii
(Taken on February 2019, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia)

Graptophyllum pictum

Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. is a tree belongs to the family Acanthaceae. The species has two varieties, which can be differentiated by the colors of purple and white green of leaves and young stems. Both varieties are ornamental plants. The purple variety is used in Indonesian medicinal folklore to treat hemorrhoids by taking a decoction of the leaves. Ambeven is a herbal prescribed drug-containing G. pictum, which is used to prevent and to cure hemorrhoids in Indonesia.

The white green variety of *Graptophyllum pictum*
(Taken on January 2016, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia)

Averrhoa carambola

Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) is well known as ‘Star Fruit’. In contrast to A. bilimbi, these fruits are sweet and eaten raw. Similar to A. bilimbi, a decoction of the leaves is used to strengthen the body from uncertainty illnesses by bathing.

Averrhoa bilimbi

Averrhoa bilimbi L. is a tree belongs to the family Oxalidaceae. Fruit of the species is extremely sour and is used in culinary. The plant has medicinal values, especially fruits and leaves. The decoction of fruits is used to reduce high blood pressure (hypertension). Meanwhile, a decoction of the leaves is used to strengthen the body from uncertainty illness by bathing.

Dieffenbachia sp.

Dieffenbachia sp. belongs to the family Araceae is an ornamental plant. It is well known as ‘Dumb Cane” and is a toxic plant. The toxic part of this plant is the latex which can cause severe skin irritations. People should be careful when cleaning the leaves or cutting the stems.

Flora of Indonesia

Indonesian species of vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants and herbs

Monthly Archives: February 2019