Graphtophyllum pictum

Graphtophyllum pictum Griff.
(This plant is belongs to family Acanthaceae)

Graphtophyllum pictum

(Handeuleum)

(Hidayat T., 2017)

Classification:

Kingdom   : Plantae

Divisio       : Magnoliophyta

Classis       : Magnoliopsida

Order         : Scrophulariales

Familia      : Acanthaceae

Genus        : Graphtophyllum

Species      : Graphtophyllum pictum

        

Description:

Caricature plant is an erect, much branched shrub growing up to 3.5 metres tall. The plant has a range of traditional medicinal uses and is also used as a soap substitute. It is commonly grown as an ornamental and hedge plant in the tropics, and also as a pot plant in colder areas, being valued especially for its attractive, variegated leaves in which some people can see caricatures of the human face.

The leaves are emollient and resolvent. They might also be diuretic. An infusion is taken as a remedy for constipation. They are used externally, often as a poultice, in the treatment of various conditions including cuts, ulcers, scorpion stings and swellings. A poultice of the leaves is applied to the breasts to relieve inflammatory obstruction to the flow of milk. The leaves are pounded in hot water and applied as paste for relieving headaches. The mottled-leafed variety is pounded with coconut milk and then used to reduce swellings.

The juice of the plant is squeezed into the ear as a remedy for earaches. It is applied to the skin as a treatment for certain skin complaints. A decoction of the flowers is taken to promote menstruation. An ethanol extract of the plant has shown both anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. Flavonoids found in one of the fractions was assumed to be partly responsibgle for the antiinflammatory effect.

A study of the plant extract on the growth of plaque on an acrylic resin complete denture showed inhibition of plaque growth, with highest growth inhibition on 40% extract of the plant. The ethanol extract has shown oxytocic activity comparable to oxytocin, whilst the aqueous extract reduced the normal contraction of the uterine strip. The results support the use of the plant in traditional medicine as a delivery aid and also suggest a possible use as a contraceptive.

Spot Character:

Purple leaves

                                          

Benefit:

Medicinal Plant

Distribution:

Tropical

Location

UPIMain Gate

Flowers of Graphtophyllum pictum

REFERENCE

Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. . Tersedia: tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Graptophyllum+pictum.
Hidayat, T. dan Eman, A. (2017). Keanekaragaman Tumbuhan Biji di Kampus UPI Bandung. Bandung: UPI Press