Thalia geniculata L.

Kana air (Thalia geniculata) is a herb 2-4 meters tall from the Marantaceae family that originates from Africa to Central America and the Caribbean. Its leaves and stems are used as food ingredients, animal feed, and even furniture and baskets. In Senegal, kana air root and leaves are traditionally used as a drink and massage remedy for snake bites.

Grows well in muddy places, waterlogged areas exposed to direct sunlight. Grows at elevations of 0-1,100 m asl. Can grow on land like canna lily, but is better kept in humid places with sufficient sunlight. Preferred soil type is fertile loamy soil.

• Stem has a thick rhizome (underground horizontal stem).
• Leaves large, broadly lanceolate, with a rounded base and pointed tip (length > 1 m). The leaf blade is held by a long, smooth, green or reddish-purple petiole, smooth leaf margin.
• Flowers paired, hanging from a zigzag-shaped inflorescence stalk. Small purple flowers (2 cm long) consisting of 3 petals and having an irregular shape. A white petal-like bract hangs below the flower.
• Fruit elliptical-subglobose, a capsule, 12 mm x 7 mm orange-red containing one seed.
• Seeds elliptical-subglobose, 5-10 mm x 3-6 mm, smooth, brownish to greenish or black.

Propagation is done by seed and rhizome division.

Sitoidoside I, daucesterol, stigmasterol, beta sitosterol, geranylfarnesol, rosmarinic acid.

Addresses snake bite poison (as a drink and external application/massage), treats anemia, asthma, malaria.

Patat cai (Sunda).