Pterisanthes cissioides Blume

Akar gamat (Pterisanthes cissioides) is a liana from the Vitaceae family distributed in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The Dayak people have long traditionally used its root as a remedy for swelling, especially of the feet. Akar gamat is also sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Akar gamat is usually found growing in habitats in swampy areas and alluvial sites in forest, mixed forest, tropical rainforest, shrubland, and forest margins, at elevations of 50-1,200 m asl. It grows well in fertile, moist, well-drained loamy soil. Its growth favors partially shaded areas, and the plant's water requirement falls in the moderate range.

• Stem slender, cylindrical, striated, hairless, with tendrils.
• Leaves green, alternate, compound, with three to five thin leaflets, long-ovate to oblong shaped, blade oblong with an asymmetric base, leaf margin toothed with teeth about 0.5-1 mm long at the tips of secondary veins, apex acute to abruptly narrowing and tapering (apiculate). Upper leaf surface hairless (glabrous). There are 5-6 main veins arising from the base on each side and many secondary veins.
• Inflorescence a very peculiar leaf-like structure hanging from a long stalk. Flowers white, small, borne on the leaf-like surface and eventually developing into fruit. The flower has an ovate-triangular corolla. The flower bud stalk is brownish green and most flowers are stalkless. Along the edge of the leaf-like structure, male flowers are borne on long stalks. Branching tendrils arise from the inflorescence stalk.
• Fruit borne or appearing on the bright red surface of the leaf-like structure. Fruit ovate shaped and each contains 1-2 seeds. Young fruit green, later turning purplish pink when ripe.
• Seeds ovate, wrinkled.

Plant propagation is through seed (generative).

Information not found. Further research is needed.

Helps relieve swelling, especially of the feet, treats wounds.

Kriat betina (Riau), Lakun (Sumatra), Akar engkaranak.