Strobilanthes alternata

Strobilanthes alternata (synonym Hemigraphis alternata), may be known as red ivy, red-flame ivy, or waffle plant, is a member of the family Acanthaceae native to Java.[1] It is a prostrate plant with purple colored leaves.

Strobilanthes alternata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Strobilanthes
Species:
S. alternata
Binomial name
Strobilanthes alternata
(Burm.f.) Moylan ex J.R.I.Wood
Synonyms
  • Blechum cordatum Leonard
  • Goldfussia colorata (Blume) Moritzi
  • Hemigraphis alternata (Burm.f.) T.Anderson
  • Hemigraphis colorata W.Bull
  • Hemigraphis colorata L.
  • Hemigraphis colorata (Blume) Hallier f.
  • Ruellia alternata Burm.f.
  • Ruellia colorata Blume

Description

Strobilanthes alternata is a herb that grows near 30 cm (12 in) long. The stems of the plant are prostrate and purplish, especially at the nodes. The leaves are hairy and opposite, and one leaf of a pair is much larger than the other. The leaf blades are dark green on the top face and are lighter green or purplish on the lower face. The flowers of the plant grow from where the leaf meets the stem, and are white with purple penciling.You can call this plant by various names such as Cemetery plant, Purple waffle plant, Murikooti and Ayurveda addresses this plant as Vranaropani (meaning – wound healer). In Kerala, India, we call this herb as Muriyan pacha as it helps to heal wounds faster. This plant is native to the tropical regions of the globe especially tropical Malaysia and South East Asia. This natural herb grows in plenty across India, China, Indonesia, and Japan[2]

Uses

In Indonesia, Strobilanthes alternata is used to promote urination, check and heal hemorrhages, stop dysentery, and treat venereal diseases.[2]

The plant is popular in the United States and rarely the United Kingdom to use in hanging baskets for gardens.The botanical name of Red flame ivy is Hemigraphis colorata Blume.[3]

References
  1. "GlobinMed – A unique interactive e-database with validated, up-to-date and comprehensive information on Integrated Medicine".
  2. Christophe Wiart (2006). Medicinal Plants of the Asia-Pacific: Drugs for the Future?. World Scientific. p. 553. ISBN 9789814480338.
  3. D. G. Hessayon (1996). The House Plant Expert (illustrated ed.). Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 157. ISBN 9780903505352.
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