Gloriosa superba L.

Kembang sungsang (Gloriosa superba) is a climbing herb up to 3-6 meters tall of the Colchicaceae family, native to tropical Africa, distributed as far as Madagascar, Asia, and the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its uniquely shaped, brightly colored flowers make it a popular ornamental, though every part of the plant is toxic if consumed carelessly. Kembang sungsang is traditionally believed to relieve joint inflammation and worm infections.

Grows in shaded or open places in savanna forests, grasslands, deciduous forests, thickets, sand dunes, abandoned or border land, and roadsides. Prefers sandy loam soil and is tolerant of nutrient-poor soil. This plant grows at elevations of 0-2,500 m above sea level.

• Root fibrous. Tuber V or L shaped, white.
• Leaves single, alternate opposite, sessile or without a petiole, lance-shaped with a tapering tip, has tendrils, green.
• Flowers solitary, emerging from long-stalked leaf axils and having six curly petals, upper part red with a yellowish-green base, gradually turning entirely red.
• Seeds white when young, and red-brown when mature, wrapped by a capsule fruit.

• Propagated by seed and tuber. Propagation by seed is more used for industrial scale because it is more efficient than using tubers.
• Soaking seeds in hot water for one hour can increase seed germination percentage.

Alkaloid (colchicine), gloriosine, choline, benzoic, colchicoside, phytosterol, phytosterolin, stigmasterol.

Remedy for stomach ache, joint inflammation, worm infections, bruises, infertility, antiparasitic, asthma, chronic ulcers, cough, fever, malaria, tumors, kidney problems, typhus, hemorrhoids, nerve disorders, skin and venereal disease, antibacterial, antidote for snake bite venom, anticoagulant, scabies.

• Wash leaves thoroughly with running water.
• Dry in an oven at a heat not exceeding 40°C.
• Once dry, grind into powder.
• Store in a closed, airtight container.

Kembang jongrang, Katongkat (Sunda), Dongkel sungsang, Mondalika, Pancing tawa (Java), Mandhalika (Madura), Mandalika (Bali).