Cyrtosperma johnstonii
(N. E. Br.) N. E. Br.
Red veined leaf
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) SunGW, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by SunGW
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) SunGW, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A taro family herb. It can grow 1-3 m tall. The leaves are arrow head shaped and green with red veins. The flowers are dark purple to black. The spathe is blackish-purple and wraps around and tapers to a long tip. The fruit is an oval berry.
Traditional Uses
Like most plants in this group it presumably has oxalate crystals.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Has anti-cancer potential.
Known Hazards
Like most plants in the Araceae family, it presumably contains oxalate crystals.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in damp locations and water. It can grow in light shade. It can grow in acid or neutral soils. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.
Where It Grows
Australia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA,
Cultivation
It can be grown from offsets or corms. It can also be grown from cuttings.
Notes
It has anti-cancer potential.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Alokasia black jack, Daun urat merah, Rath-kohila
References (3)
- Gard. Chron. ser. 2, 18:808. 1882
- Okonogi, S. et al, 2013, Antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of Cyrtosperma johnstonii extracts on drug sensitive and resistant leukemia and small cell lung carcinoma cells. Pharmaceutical Biology 51, 3 pp 329-338
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 1149
