Family: Araceae
Synonym: Dracontium spinosum L.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Katakuchu (Bengali), Kattosh (Chittagong), Bonaidga (Noakhali).
Tribal name: Hantthal deng-e (Chakma), Charay- Kain (Chak), Gong-mentre (Garo), Asialong (Khumi), Wangchey (Khasia), Chorangkray (Marma), Manitri (Pangkhoa), Preeng-gaa-mui (Rakhaing), Kattolii (Tanchangya), Kantha bowchwak (Tripura).
English name: Pimply lasia.
Description of the Plant: A perennial stout herb, intensely prickly marsh plant, with creeping rootstock, rhizome up to 1.5 m long. Leaves long petioled, 15-45 cm long, young hastate or sagittate, old pinnatifid, segments lanceolate, acuminate. Spathe 20-35 cm long, spirally twisted above the spadix. Spadix about 2.5 cm long, scarlet-colored. Fruit a berry, obovoid, hexagonal, 1-seeded; seeds compressed, rugose, exalbuminous.
Plant parts Used: Leaf, rhizome.
Traditional
Uses: The burning ash of the leaves and rhizomes is applied to the anus twice
a day for 15 days to treat piles.
Rhizomes of the plant are used in the treatment of throat ailments.
A decoction made with rhizome of the plant is taken thrice a day for four days
to treat measles.
A fresh juice extracted from rhizome of the plant is taken thrice a day (10 ml
amount each time) until the colic is cured.
An extract made with the rhizome of the plant by boiling in water is given once
a day for twelve days to treat rheumatism.
Decoction prepared from rhizome of the plant, after adding some sugar it is
taken thrice a day for seven days to treat skin disease.
The rhizomes are used traditionally for treating lymphotuberculosis,
lymphonoditis, stomach ache, snake and insect bites, injuries.
Distribution: It is very common and found throughout the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
