Scientific name: Pentapetes phoenicea L

Family: Sterculiaceae

Synonym: Brotera phoenicea (L.) Cav.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Dupurchundi, Dupurmoni, Surjomoni, Kailata, Duporia, Bandhuli.

Tribal name: Dibujja phul (Chakma), Moidya koain (Marma).

English name: Noon flower, Mid day flower, Scarlet mallow, Copper cup.

Description of the plant: An erect herb, 1-2 m tall. Leaves simple, alternate, linear-lanceolate, apex acute, base obtuse, margin serrate. Flowers are axillary, with 5 large, deep rose, and showy petals. Capsule subglobose, 5-valved, loculicidally dehiscent.

Pentapetes phoenicea

Plant parts used: Leaf, flower, root.

Ethnomedicinal uses: Powder prepared from the dried flowers of the plant is used for killing hair lice, and advise people to smoke as tobacco for releif of headache.

Bark paste is used to treat rheumatic swelling.

Cottonseed-sized pills are made with the leaves and stems of the plant are taken twice a day (one pill each time) for two weeks to treat dysmenorrhoea.

A fresh juice is extracted from the roots of the plant are taken once a day (25 ml amount each time) until the hysteria is cured.

A fresh juice is extracted from the roots of the plant are taken thrice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) for one week to treat menopause.

A paste is made with the leaves and stems of the plant are applied biting place to treat snake bite.

The roots of the plant are used for the treatment of fever, skin disease, and leucoderma.

Distribution: It is cultivated throughout the country.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….

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