Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng.

Putat sungai (Barringtonia racemosa) is a small tree up to 10 meters tall of the Lecythidaceae family, distributed along the coasts from South Africa to northern Australia and South China. Its leaf shoots are harvested from the wild as food and medicine, while its trunk serves as a timber source. Putat sungai is traditionally believed to relieve cough, asthma, and snake bites.

Able to grow along moist coastlines, tidal land, and freshwater swamps at elevations up to 600 m above sea level. Prefers heavy clay, loamy or volcanic soil. Optimal rainfall 1,500-4,300 mm/year.

• Stem grayish-brown or yellowish bark, speckled with prominent lines. Stem surface somewhat smooth to slightly cracked.
• Leaves arranged alternately, clustered at the stem tip and elongated oval shape. Short petiole only 1.5 cm.
• Flowers arranged on a stalk 30-100 cm long, large, fragrant, red sepals, white or red corolla, and white, pink or red stamens.
• Fruit small, 3-9 cm long, fruit width 2-5.5 cm, hardens when ripe, yellowish-brown in color. One fruit contains one seed.

• Propagated by seed, stem cuttings, air layering.
• Seeds are best planted immediately after ripening. It takes 2-3 months to germinate.
• Seedlings are ready to be planted in the field about 2-3 months after germination, when the height reaches 20-30 cm.

Germanicol, germanicone, betulinic acid, lupeol, taraxerol, phytosterol, phenolic acid, flavonoid, tannin, stilbene, lignin, ellagic acid, barringtogenol C, bartogenic acid.

Treats cough, asthma, diarrhea, intestinal problems (colic), chickenpox, malaria, rheumatism, hypertension, treats snake bite wounds, rat bites, and boils.

• Choose fresh, undamaged putat sungai leaves.
• Wash thoroughly with running water. Drain.
• Air-dry in the shade for several days.
• Store the dried leaves in a light-proof container at room temperature.

Putat sungai (Malay), Kungkungan, Butun darat, Putat kampung.