Pecah kaca literally translated meaning 'breaking glass', botanically known as Strobilanthes Crispus or also known as Black Face General (hei mian jiang jun). Originally from Madagascar, then to Indonesia but now it thrives so well in Malaysia.
I came across this plant during the recent MAHA 2010 Exhibition and realised that I have this plant all along in my own garden outside the fence, fighting for space in between the mulberrry, the curry leaves tree and the cashew nut tree. I just didnt know the name of the plant! I planted it outside the fence, a few years back given by my friend the Professor in a small pot. It is easy to grow as it is a no-fuss plant and can be propagated using the stems.
The dark green leaves are rough to the touch but have an attractive glossy sheen
too bushy and healthy, need to cut them back regularly
I remembered the plant was so small when I planted it. Look at it now, so robust and green! I have to trim it every few months because it spread so fast covering my other plants. I was just thinking, before MAHA 2010, that I wanted to dig up and threw the plant away, since it has become so invasive! Then MAHA 2010 mentioned about the plant's medicinal values, how it has been in a limelight in recent years for its anti-cancer and anti-HIV properties among other things. It is also known to treat uterine fibroids, leukaemia, kidney stones, snake bites and diabetes.
Green Culture Singaporethe flowers looking a little like allamanda
The plant rarely produces flowers, the flowers are yellow but so far, I have not seen mine flowering yet, all green leaves! The fresh leaves can be juiced or pureed and consume direct or it can be used as an infusion and drink like a tea. It can be also dried first, boil in hot water and drink it with sugar like a tea.
Luckily I didnt throw the plant away!
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14 comments:
You have a treasure growing in your backyard without realising it:).
Very pretty! The blooms look a lot like yellow jessamine, which is the state flower where I live.
What a lovely surprise ... finding out just what a fantastic plant you have! Won't it be wonderful when you finally see those lovely little flowers? They do indeed look a lot like Allamanda flowers.
I hope this plant will give you pretty blooms soon! They are indeed treasure for you!
Diana, Malar, its indeed a treasure now that I know their medicinal values! Malar, their flowers are very rare, so Im keeping my fingers crossed to see if Im that lucky!
Eliza thanks, your yellow jasmine sure is pretty, I bet they are sweet smelling too!
Bernie, thanks, yes indeed its a surprise what those plants turned out to be! To think that I would throw them away!
p3chandan, the plant grows plenty of roots and grows out of the pot. After a while I decided that it is not a plant for my small garden. I didn't see any yellow blooms.
I wonder how great your garden must be, when I see grape vine on the side bar.
Steph, you threw the plant away? I almost did too cos it has become a healthy bushy plants. I have to trim them regularly but still cant see any flowering buds.
Rainfield, mine is just a small garden with a small arbor for my grape vines and a little pond underneath it..nothing spectacular!
You have a gem in your garden without realising it! It must have been a happy surprise! Luckily you found out just in time!
Isn't it amazing what benefits plants have that we really didn't notice or pay attention to before ? .. even to the point of digging them up and throwing them away .. mistakes teach us leasson though don't they ?
Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and commenting !
Joy : )
Yes Joy, its a lesson for me just in time..thank you to you too for dropping my small garden.
Yes :-( My neighbour who gave me this plant has a big pot at the back of the house. I can see the plant from my kitchen window so I thought can forego this plant. Yeah I have to cut back quite frequently. But more than a year also no flower leh. I think if yours is planted into the ground, then most likely you can look forward the plant to bloom ;-)
Steph too bad, if you want the plant again, just let me know, I gladly will share it! Yes hopefully one day will see the flowers..
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