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Botany
Aroid climber that may grow
many meters high. Leaves are long-stalked. Leaf blades are green
and glossy with light veins, about 30 cm long 25 cm wide, tapering
towards the narrow tip. Young leaves have wavy margins; the incisions
becoming deeper as they mature, reaching half way to the midrib.
Flowers are ivory and cylindrical, about 10 cm long, enclosed
by tubular bracts (spathe) 10 to 15 cm long, 5 to 7 cm wide.
The berry fruits are about 3 mm long.
Distribution
Introduced and wildly cultivated.
Propagated by stem cuttings or planting of the lateral buds.
Grows both as soil or water plant.
Parts
utilized
Leaves
Folkloric
uses
Muscular strains, back pains: Leaves are boiled in vinegar and
applied to involved areas overnight and repeated for two to three
days.
Flatulence, abdominal pains: Oiled leaves are applied to abdominal
epigastric area.
Availability
Wild-crafted or cultivated.
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