Hugonia Griffithiana

Overview

Found by Dr. William Griffith, of 19th century botanist and curator of the Botanic Garden in Calcutta. Sap secreted by bark of Hugonia griffithiana is highly poisonous and it is used in traditional warfare among the tribes in the form of dart poison. Its native distribution is from India (Nicobar Islands), Thailand, to Malesia (Indonesia and Malay Peninsula). In Sarawak, the wood is also used for making parang handles. Furthermore, this plant is used in traditional medicines to treat various ailments. So far, we are lacking of information about this species and further research is needed.

Vernacular Names

 Akar serawan (Malaysia).

Agroecology

Often in open places, like recent swidden areas and secondary forests, with elevation of 1,500 m asl. On quite variable soils, but often found in swampy places.

Morphology

• Stem - white or off white, 3 cm in diameter.
• Leaves - alternate, elliptic to obovate with a long drip tip and minute serrated margins, caudate to acuminate, cuneate, penni-veined, shiny, 7-10 pairs of veins.
• Flowers - thin petal, whitish in colour. Has yellow stamen, bright yellow anther, and light yellow stigma. 
• Fruit - a drupe, yellow to red (diameter 8 mm), seeded, oval to elliptic.
• Seed - 1 or 2, semi-ovoid, thin testa.

Cultivation

Generatively propagated by seed.

Chemical Constituents

Saponin.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• Stem and roots are used against stomache ache, constipation and malaria.
• Bark is used to make a poison (racun ipoh), but also as a medicine against rheumatism. Remove bark, heat it, pound it thoroughly, and apply directly to rheumatic areas for relief. Leaves and flowers are used against head ache.