Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook.

Tunjuk langit (Helminthostachys zeylanica) is a rare fern up to 50 cm tall of the Ophioglossaceae family, found across tropical Asia and Australia, and has long been used as traditional medicine in India, Malaysia, and China, though not yet cultivated commercially. Besides being used as a salad ingredient and fiber for handicrafts, it is also grown as an ornamental plant. Traditionally, tunjuk langit is believed to cure dysentery, malaria, and jaundice.

Generally grows at forest edges or under sparse shrubs up to an elevation of nearly 400 m above sea level. Typically grows in groups in open tropical forests with clay, moist soil, along riverbanks or slopes rich in humus and slightly shaded.
 

• Rhizome short, solitary, pale brown at the base and fleshy.
• Stem in the form of an underground rhizome from which thick fibrous roots emerge.
• Leaves compound, consisting of many leaflets. The upper part is a sporangium that opens upright. When the sporangium matures it will burst, releasing spores for propagation.

• Propagated by spores and rhizomes.
• Growth of tunjuk langit from spores depends on a type of fungus (endophytic microbe) in the soil, namely Prothallus tuberous, which helps the plant grow before germinating.

• Flavonoids (ugonin), saponins, phenolics, polyphenols, terpenoids, steroids, flavavone, quercetin, stibenes.

• Anti-inflammatory, treats lung disease, antipyretic, blood tonic, cures dysentery, malaria, jaundice, impotence, one of the ingredients in a cancer medicine mixture, treats seizures, joint stiffness, treats nosebleeds, cures vaginal discharge.

• Take the rhizome and separate it from the stem.
• Wash thoroughly with running water.
• Slice the rhizome to a thickness of 0.5 cm, then dry in the sun until dry, or use an oven at 25°C until the moisture content is below 10%.
• Grind and sift using a 40 mesh sieve.
• Pack in an airtight container.
   

Pancar bumi (South Sumatra), Tapak jalak (Sunda), Bute-bute (Makassar), Pakis urang and Ceker ayam (Java).