Phyllagathis rotundifolia (Jack) Blume

Tapak sulaiman (Phyllagathis rotundifolia) is a creeping herb 30 cm tall from the Melastomataceae family found in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. This plant is widely used for postpartum care by rural Malaysian communities, as well as by the Suku Anak Dalam of Jambi. Research shows tapak sulaiman leaf extract has antibacterial activity against E. coli.

Tapak sulaiman is generally found in lowland forest, and also grows on hillsides and moist forest floor areas. Its growth favors shaded or partially shaded positions, and requires moist, well-drained soil conditions.

• Stem red.
• Leaves simple (unifoliate), round to heart-shaped, 5-20 cm long and 4-12 cm wide, glossy, covered with fine hairs, dark green.
• Flowers purple, pink. Inflorescence head-like, short-stalked, surrounded by 4 involucral bracts.

Propagation is done generatively using seed.

Galloylated cyanogenic glucosides based on prunasin (prunasin 2',6'-di-O-gallate, prunasin 3',6'-di-O-gallate, prunasin 4',6'-di-O-gallate, prunasin 2',3',6'-tri-O-gallate, prunasin 3',4',6'-tri-O-gallate, prunasin 2',3',4',6'-tetra-O-gallate), alkyl glycoside, oct-1-en-3-yl α-arabinofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside, hydrolyzable tannins, gallotannin, ellagitannin, ellagic acid and aromatic acid derivatives, ellagic acid methyl ester, β-glucogallin, 3,6-di-O-galloyl-d-glucose, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, strictinin, 6-O-galloyl-2,3-O-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-d-glucose, praecoxin B, pterocarinin, terpenoids, phenols, lipophilic compounds, alkaloids, and flavonoids.

Treats fever or malaria in children, stomach ache, postpartum care to give the mother strength, has antibacterial activity.

Kemunol.