Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis [Roemer & Schultes] 4: 427 (1819).

Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult., Photo by Tang A Pau

The native range of this species is Himalaya to China (S. Yunnan) and Indo-China. It is a shrub or tree and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. It is used as a poison and a medicine, has environmental uses and for fuel and food.

Vietnamese name:

Hoa ngọc bút.

Family:

Apocynaceae.

Uses:

Toothache (chew and hold the root bark in the mouth without swallowing the juice). Eye pain, skin diseases, and fever (root). The root is also used as a deworming agent.

Distribution:

Cultivated as an ornamental plant in many households, ranging from the North to the Mekong Delta.

Flowering and fruiting season:

April–October.

0 Globba pendula

epharmacognosy 8/06/2026 08:19:00 AM Add Comment

Globba pendula Roxb., Asiat. Res. 11: 359 (1810).

Globba pendula Roxb., Photo by Diep Dinh

Globba pendula Roxb., Photo by Diep Dinh

The native range of this species is Assam to W. Malesia. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome.

Vietnamese name:

Ngải mọi

Family:

Zingiberaceae

Uses:

Fever, rheumatism (whole plant).

Distribution:

Dong Nai (Bien Hoa). Cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Flowering and fruiting season:

July–August.

0 Sarcandra glabra

epharmacognosy 8/04/2026 02:34:00 AM Add Comment

Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai, Fl. Sylv. Kor. 18: 17 (1930).

Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai, Photo by Dinh Diep

The native range of this species is Tropical & Subtropical Asia to Japan. It is a shrub and grows primarily in the subtropical biome.

Vietnamese names:

Sói rừng, Sói nhẵn, Sái láng, Sơn kê trà, Co nộc sa (Thai), Sáng cáy sà

Family:

Chloranthaceae

Uses:

Treats rheumatic conditions, back pain, inflammation, and toxicity; used for cancers of the pancreas, stomach, rectum, liver, and throat; infectious encephalitis B, bacillary dysentery, acute appendicitis, boils, traumatic injuries, and fractures; regulates menstruation; treats pneumonia; an alcohol infusion of the whole plant is consumed to relieve chest tightness. Decocted leaves treat tuberculosis-related coughs; crushed leaves are applied topically to treat snakebites.

Distribution:

Found from Lao Cai (Sa Pa), Lang Son, Bac Can, Vinh Phuc (Tam Dao), Hoa Binh, and Hanoi (Ba Vi) down to Kon Tum and Lam Dong. The plant grows naturally in low mountain regions and on moist hillsides at elevations of 200–1,500 m.