Medicinal Plants

Spathoglottis plicata Blume

Anggrek Tanah Ungu

Orchidaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Spathoglottis plicata (Anggrek Tanah Ungu) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Spathoglottis plicata (Anggrek Tanah Ungu) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Spathoglottis plicata (Anggrek Tanah Ungu)

Summary

Anggrek tanah ungu (Spathoglottis plicata) is a perennial orchid up to 100 cm tall of the Orchidaceae family, native to tropical Asia, distributed as far as Australia and the Southwest Pacific. Its bright purple flowers are popular as cut flowers and yard ornamentals. This orchid is traditionally used in various countries to treat rheumatism and speed up wound healing.

Agroecology

Spathoglottis plicata is commonly found growing in lowlands and mid-elevations from sea level up to elevations of 800 m above sea level. Its growing environment is open places with full sunlight but needs a little shade in the afternoon, warm temperatures but not tolerant of temperatures lower than 10°C, rainfall ranging between 800-3,500 mm/year. Prefers soil conditions with a pH ranging between 6-7.5 and requires growing media with good drainage, because this orchid is not resistant to waterlogging.

Morphology

  • Root fibrous, whitish-brown in color.
  • Stem upright, round, soft, green in color.
  • Leaves single, green in color, elongated ribbon-shaped, leaf surface folded lengthwise parallel to the leaf vein, leaf vein protruding below the leaf surface, flat leaf edges, tapering leaf tip, leaf base narrowing downward.
  • Flowers compound, raceme-shaped (each raceme consisting of 5-30 flowers and opening gradually), dark purple to pale pink in color, has 1 dorsal sepal, 2 petals, 2 lateral sepals, ovate to ovate-shaped petals, hairy, long-stalked, odorless.
  • Fruit a cylindrical capsule, 6-ribbed, light green in color.
  • Seeds round, small, blackish-white in color.

Cultivation

  • Propagated generatively namely through seed but requires more time.
  • Vegetative propagation (offsets or pseudobulb). Avoid planting the pseudobulb entirely buried in the soil, but half the pseudobulb should be above the soil surface.
  • Suitable planting media is a lower layer of brick/tile fragments/charcoal and an upper layer of leaf humus.

Chemical Content

Alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, polyphenol, saponin.

Benefits

Treats ear inflammation, joint inflammation (arthritis), rheumatism, boils, relieves pain and improves blood circulation, heals wounds and burns, vertigo, anticancer.

Local Names

Anggrek congkok (Java), Antel-antelan, Djangkuawang (Java), Kupur (Gayo), Buluh Hutan (Manado), Daun kora-kora, Daun tana (Maluku), Ahaan (Ambon), Lalagu (Halmahera), Kusuma raka (Ternate), Bure (North Seram Island).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Rheumatism from Anggrek Tanah Ungu

1. Rheumatism

  • Prepare leaves as needed, clean off attached dirt by washing in running water.
  • Grind until fine.
  • Apply to the aching joint.
Traditional recipe Earache from Anggrek Tanah Ungu

2. Earache

  • Prepare a large anggrek tanah ungu tuber and wash thoroughly.
  • Pound the tuber until mashed.
  • Squeeze and drip the extract into the aching ear.

Reference Sources

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens. 2021. Plants of the  World Online: Spathoglottis plicata Blume. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:658073-1. 03-09-2021.
  2. CAB International. 2021. Invasive Species Compendium: Spathoglottis plicata (Philippine ground orchid). https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/117275#tosummaryOfInvasiveness. 03-09-2021.
  3. Qodriyah L. 2005. TEKNIK HIBRIDISASI ANGGREK TANAH SONGKOK (Spathoglottis plicata). Buletin Teknik Pertanian 10(2).
  4. Balithi. 2020. Mengenal Anggrek Spathoglottis. [diakses 3 September 2021]. http://balithi.litbang.pertanian.go.id/berita-427-mengenal-anggrek-spathoglottis.html.
  5. Flora Fauna Web. 2019. Spathoglottis plicata Blume. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/4/2468. 03-09-2021.
  6. Handini E dkk. 2021. INVENTARISASI JENIS-JENIS ANGGREK BERPOTENSI OBAT KOLEKSI KEBUNRAYA BOGOR DAN UPAYA KONSERVASI SECARA IN VITRO. Warta Kebun Raya 19 (1).
  7. Therapeutic Orchid Oils. https://www.perfumeworkshop.com/therapeuticorchids7.html. 03-09-2021.
  8. Bhowmik TK et al. 2020. Comparative phytochemical investigation of natural and in vitro raised plant parts of Spathoglottis plicata Blume: A terrestrial medicinal orchid of Bangladesh. International Journal of Botany Studies 5(6):223-228.