Gomphostemma (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Gomphostemma Wallich ex Benth.
- Protologue: Edwards, Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1292 (1830).
- Family: Labiatae
- Chromosome number: x= 17
Origin and geographic distribution
Gomphostemma comprises about 30 species and occurs in eastern India, Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, southern China, Thailand and western Malesia to the Philippines, Sulawesi and Bali. In the Malesian region 8 species have been found; Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra are richest, each with 5 species.
Uses
Some uses in traditional medicine in South-East Asia have been recorded for Gomphostemma : the leaves and leaf juice are applied externally to wounds, swellings and warts, and internally to treat intestinal troubles, whereas a decoction of the roots is administered after childbirth.
Botany
Perennial herbs or shrubs; roots sometimes tuberous; stem quadrangular, pubescent. Leaves decussately opposite, simple, large, entire or crenate-serrate, lower surface usually with stellate hairs often intermixed with simple hairs, usually long-petioled; stipules absent. Inflorescence an axillary fascicled cyme forming densely congested verticillasters, rarely seemingly racemose, bracteate. Flowers bisexual, zygomorphic; calyx campanulate, 10-veined, with 5 subequal teeth; corolla with slender, erect or incurved tube and 2-lipped limb, upper lip galeate, entire or emarginate, lower lip spreading, broadly 3-lobed, creamy to orange-yellow; stamens 4, inserted on the corolla tube, didynamous, filaments pubescent; disk prominent; ovary superior, deeply 4-parted, style gynobasic, with 2 short, slightly unequal branches at apex. Fruit splitting into 1-4 drupaceous nutlets enclosed in the persistent calyx.
Gomphostemma can be found flowering throughout the year.
Gomphostemma is placed in the rather heterogeneous (possibly polyphyletic) tribe Prasieae , which is characterized by the fleshy mericarps.
Ecology
Gomphostemma is most commonly found in humid lowland rain forest below 1000 m altitude, but G. javanicum is also found in drier forest types and at higher altitudes.
Genetic resources
Most Gomphostemma species have sufficiently wide distributions to ensure their survival, but few are narrow endemics which may easily become endangered.
Prospects
Particularly the external applications of Gomphostemma leaves and leaf juice warrant research on the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties, since data are not yet available.
Literature
247.
Selection of species
Authors
Trimurti H. Wardini