Russelia equisetiformis Schltdl. & Cham.

Bunga air mancur (Russelia equisetiformis) is a herb up to 1.2 meters tall of the Plantaginaceae family, native to Mexico, named for its flowers that drape downward resembling a fountain. This plant is often planted in hanging baskets as an ornamental, besides being cultivated as medicine in Mexico and Africa. Bunga air mancur is believed to help stimulate hair growth and treat diabetes.

Bunga air mancur is ideally planted in lowlands and highlands with ordinary soil or humus soil planting media, with good drainage and neutral pH. This flower requires sunlight throughout the day.

• Stem dark green in color. Has many thin branches. Grows upright at first, but as it lengthens the branches will grow drooping down with a length that can reach 1.2 m.
• Leaves like asparagus. Leaves on the main branch are whorled, 1-2.5 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm wide.
• Flowers bright red in color, tubular shape.
• Fruit a brown capsule, ovate or round and about 3-6 mm wide.
• Seeds small, light brown, oblong shaped.

• Propagated by stem cuttings and tubers, choose tubers that have already grown small leaves.
• Put the tuber into a pot then fill with planting media until almost full.

Flavonoid, saponin, polyphenol, alkaloid, tannin, steroid, terpenoid, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 11-methyltetracosane, n-docosane, β-pinene, octadecanoic acid methyl ester.

Has antioxidant, antiallergic, antiviral, antidiarrheal and antipyretic activity, prevents atherosclerosis (narrowing of arterial blood vessels), stimulates hair growth, treats diabetes, leukemia, malaria, cancer, kidney stones, wound remedy.

• Prepare fresh plant stems, wash thoroughly.
• Dry the stems for several days until completely dry
• Store in a clean container/plastic bag

Kembang petasan (Java).