Scientific name: Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken
Family: Crassulaceae
Synonym: Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Pathorkuchi.
Tribal name: Jeos, Roah kapanghey (Chakma); Jeejak laua, Rokeya panko, Rokkapang bang, Wakheponey (Marma); Samjangi (Garo); Rocha-bawn (Rakhaing).
English name: Miracle plant, Mother of thousands.
Description of the plant: An erect, more or less branched, succulent herb. Leaves simple, opposite-decussate, narrowly boatshaped, thick, succulent, and scalloped margin. Plantlets grow along the notches of the leaf margins which can develop while still attached to the plant or when detached, a fascinating characteristic that earns its name. Flowers are cylindric, and pendulous in a large, terminal panicle, reddish-purple. Fruit a follicle with many seeds.
Plant parts used: Leaf, root.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is used for sprain, eczema, burns, and carbuncles.
Leaf juice is used for earache and ophthalmia.
A decoction is made with the leaves of the plant is taken with some sugar twice a day (30 ml amount each time) for one month to treat asthma.
Fresh juice extracted from the roots of the plant is taken thrice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) until the epilepsy is cured.
Paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is applied to treat wounds, bruise, boils, and insect bite.
Juice of the plant is used for diarrhoea, dysentery, and cholera.
Decoction is made with the leaves of the plant is taken to lower blood pressure.
A fresh juice is extracted from roots of the plant is taken four times a day (5 ml amount each time) for five days to treat cough.
The plant is used for the treatment of diabetes, dysuria, jaundice, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.
Distribution: The species commonly occurs throughout the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
