Marsdenia tinctoria R.Br.

Tarum akar (Marsdenia tinctoria) is a vine up to 5 meters tall of the Apocynaceae family, native to western Indonesia and long a part of Sundanese life. Like the common indigo plant, its leaves are processed into blue dye for traditional archipelago fabric, though its leaves are larger and it grows climbing. Tarum akar is also traditionally used to treat fever and stimulate hair growth.

Marsdenia tinctoria can live in subtropical to tropical regions. Naturally grows in moist mixed forests in lowlands and mid-elevations from 400-1,000 m above sea level. Can climb on rocks, thickets and open land.

• Stem slender, semi-woody twining with very fine branches.
• Leaves compound opposite, ovate to oblong 9-16 cm long with a tapering tip and heart-shaped base.
• Flowers small, fragrant, yellowish in color, 4-7 cm long.
• Fruit lance-shaped and somewhat angular, 5-8 cm long and covered with thick hair.
• Seeds covered with dense white hair.

• Tarum plant propagation is done generatively and vegetatively (cuttings, air layering).
• Seedling nursery, tarum plant spacing is 75 x 50 cm in a planting hole 12.5 cm in diameter.
• Shoots grow in 14-16 days. Harvest time at 4 months of age.

Flavonoid, alkaloid and saponin, 3,2-dihydroxyflavone, methylcyclobutene, dimethyl isatoate, triterpenes, lupenyl acetate, lupenyl palmitate, lupenone, lupeol, flavone capitone.

Treats syphilis, fever, rheumatism, intestinal disorders, stimulates hair growth, remedy for stomach ache.

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Known by local names Senam (Aceh), Tarum areuy (Sunda), Santam (Rengat).