Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan

Rumput tapak burung (Murdannia nudiflora) is an annual or perennial herb up to 30 cm tall of the Commelinaceae family, distributed from India to Japan and Malaysia, now invasive across nearly every continent. Because it is difficult to control, this plant is considered an unwanted weed. Despite this, rumput tapak burung is traditionally believed to reduce urinary tract disorders and relieve fever.

Grows in tropical and subtropical regions, from vacant land, roadsides, and grasslands. More populous in wet places such as dam edges, embankments, lakes, irrigation channels, ditches, waterlogged places or in cultivated crops such as rice fields, and gardens.

• Root fibrous, white or brown.
• Stem between 15-30 cm with some parts upright, semi-upright, drooping or creeping on the ground.
• Leaves between 1-3 cm without a petiole, broad-leafed.
• Flowers small, consisting of 3 pale reddish-purple petals. 3 pairs of white pistils with pale blue stamens with the pistil stalk and stamens the same color as the petals.

• Propagated by seed which often occurs naturally by wind or other organisms.
• By layering, namely the stem touching the ground will produce offset shoots and become new individuals.

Tannin, flavonoid, alkaloid, phytosterol, ascorbic acid.

Reduces urinary tract disorders, diarrhea, treats boils, burns, itching, addresses fever and promotes menstrual circulation and treats asthma.

Kekupu (Malay), Auwe-auwe (Minangkabau), Gewar lalakina (Sunda), Jeboran (Java).