Medicinal Plants

Hibiscus schizopetalus (Mast.) Hook.f.

Kembang Sepatu Sungsang

Malvaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Hibiscus schizopetalus (Kembang Sepatu Sungsang) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Hibiscus schizopetalus (Kembang Sepatu Sungsang) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Hibiscus schizopetalus (Kembang Sepatu Sungsang)

Summary

Kembang sepatu sungsang (Hibiscus schizopetalus) is a shrub up to 2-4 meters tall of the Malvaceae family, native to tropical East Africa, entering Taiwan in 1901. Its unique drooping flowers with split petals make it a favorite ornamental for yards and village fences. Kembang sepatu sungsang is traditionally believed to speed up healing of boils and abscesses.

Agroecology

Kembang sepatu sungsang grows well in lowlands with elevations of 0-200 m above sea level. Its growth prefers a position in full sunlight, in moist soil conditions, has good drainage, and requires moderate water.

Morphology

  • Root a taproot.
  • Stem upright woody, smooth, stem bark green when young and turning grayish with age. Upper branches generally drooping.
  • Leaves single, simple, stalked, ovate-shaped, serrated edges, tapering tip and base, 2-12 cm long, 1-7.5 cm wide, growing crowded at the twig tips, leaf size smaller than hibiscus.
  • Flowers single, stalked with a length of 8-16 cm, emerging from leaf axils, hanging downward, corolla curving upward. Corolla shape deeply pinnately lobed with narrow lobes, giving a tattered impression. Bright red color with a darker base. Stamen tube limp, 7-9 cm long.
  • Fruit a cylindrical capsule, five-chambered.
  • Seeds reniform, about 2-3 mm in diameter, dark brown.

Cultivation

Propagated generatively with seed and vegetatively with stem cuttings.

Chemical Content

Anthocyanin, alkaloid, triterpenoid, triterpene ester, phenolic acid, flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, and sterol.

Benefits

Treats boils and abscesses, removes swelling, promotes pus drainage, speeds up wound healing. Has antioxidant, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activity.

Local Names

Kembang sepatu gantung, Kembang wora-wari gantung, Kembang enting-enting, Kembang lampu.

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Boils and abscesses from Kembang Sepatu Sungsang

1. Boils and abscesses

  • Prepare fresh leaves as needed, wash thoroughly.
  • Grind the leaves until fine.
  • Apply to the boil or abscess.
  • Bandage with gauze.
Traditional recipe Swelling from Kembang Sepatu Sungsang

2. Swelling

  • Take fresh kembang sepatu sungsang leaves as needed.
  • Wash thoroughly.
  • Grind until it becomes a paste-like mixture.
  • Place on the swollen skin.

Reference Sources

  1. Royal Botanic Garden. 2021. Plant of the Warld Online : Hibiscus schizopetalus (Mast.) Hook.f. http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:560792-1. 04-09-2021.
  2. India Biodiversity Portal. 2018. Hibiscus schizopetalus (Dyer.) Hook. f. https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/229934. 04-09-2021.
  3. National Park. 2020. Hibiscus schizopetalus. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/0/2097. 04-09-2021.
  4. Dalimarta S. 2008. Atlas Tumbuhan Obat Indonesia jilid 4 : Puspa Swara. Jakarta.
  5. Wong S K, Eric W C Chan, H T Chan. A Review on the Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Two Lesserknown Hibiscus species: H. taiwanensis and H. schizopetalus. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research 2016; 8(8); 1341-1346.