Akar Gamat

Overview

Pterisanthes cissioides is native to Peninsula Thailand to West Malesia, with its distribution Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia (Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra), Malaysia (Peninsula, Sabah, Sarawak), Myanmar (Peninsula), Philippines (Mindanao), Singapore, Thailand (Ranong, Songkhla, Narathiwat). The species name comes from Greek; pteron, wing; Greek anthe, flower, probably referring to the flat blade-like inflorescence;  and Latin cissoides, like Cissus genus, the reference to its appearance that resembles plants from the genus Cissus. This plant is desirable for its ornamental flowers and foliage, and is used in traditional medicine. It is also suitable for parks and gardens, at partially shaded areas. 

Vernacular Names

No found data on this. Need further research.

Agroecology

Found in swampy areas and alluvial sites in forests. Grows on the fringe of lowland dipterocarp forests, in moist soils, well-drained soils, fertile loamy soils. It prefers semi-shade light.

Morphology

• Stem - slender, cylindrical, striate, glabrous.
• Leaves - spirally arranged, alternate, petiolate, pinnate venation, green when mature, stalked leaves have 3–5 papery leaflets. The terminal leaflet is long egg-shaped to oval and 10–18 by 4.1–6.9 cm. The lateral leaflet is asymmetric oblong and 9.1–16 by 4–6.7 cm.
• Flowers - bisexual, cluster inflorescence, axillary, corolla petals ovate-triangular, its stalked flowering shoot is brownish-green and 15–39 cm long. It mostly bears stalkless flowers.
• Fruit - simple, fleshy, egg-shaped berries and contain 1–2 seeds each, ripening purplish-pink. The seed is up to 6 by 5 mm.
• Seed - obovate, rugose.

Cultivation

Generatively propagated by seed.

Chemical Constituents

No found data on this. Need further research.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

The roots are rubbed on swellings on legs.