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Cyclea barbata
| Family Name: | Menispermaceae |
| Common Name: | Green grass jelly, Cincau hijau, 毛叶轮环藤, 箕藤, 金锁匙 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Asia, Southeast Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous vine up to 5 m long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are approximately triangular to ovate (4-10 cm long, 2.5-8 cm wide). |
| Flowers | Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Male, cup-shaped flowers are arranged in large, branched inflorescences known as panicles. Female flowers are also arranged in panicles, but the inflorescences are more narrow and hang down from the stem. |
| Fruit | Red, fleshy fruits are known as drupes. They are round to obovate and covered in soft, tiny hairs. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice): Crushed leaves are boiled in water and sugar and strained. The liquid cools to form a green jelly dessert. Medicinal: In Chinese medicine, the root has been used for stomach pain. In Indochina, a root decoction is used to treat fever and indigestion. A jelly made from crushed leaves is also used to treat indigestion. Others: Not to be confused with Platostoma palustre, known as Liang feng in China and Cincau hitam in Indonesia. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Storage Organ (Rhizome, Tuberous Root) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Cordate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square, Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary, Cauliflorous |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31191 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5585 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
