Naming Identity
Creeping coldenia is scientifically named in Latin as Coldenia procumbens. Until this article was published on October 27 2023, it was not yet known what the local name of this plant was.
In India this plant is known by several names. Such as tirupunkhi, cherupulladi, nilamparanda and seruppadai. The specific name of the species refers to the position of the stem lying on the ground (Flora of Zambia: Species Information: Coldenia Procumbens, 2023).
Taxonomy
Kingdom | Plantae |
Phylum | Tracheophyta |
Class | Magnoliopsida |
Order | Boraginales |
Family | Boraginaceae |
Genus | Coldenia |
Species | Coldenia procumbens L. |
Origin
This plant originates from the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World. Generally, it can be found in countries on the African continent such as Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Cameroon, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Somalia. In Southeast Asian countries including the islands of Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Lombok, Papua, and Maluku in Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia. In South Asian countries such as India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Himalayas as well as Oceania regions such as Western Australia, Queensland, and Papua New Guinea (Coldenia Procumbens L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science, 2015).
Description of Form and Growth
Creeping coldenia is an annual herbaceous plant that can grow to a height of 40 cm through its main stem. This plant has a main stem that has many branches and lies on the ground with many leaves growing in alternate positions.
The shape of the leaves is oval or ovate to almost round with a length that can usually reach up to 2.5 cm and is composed of wide hairs that protrude from the veins at the top. The flowers are small and white, most of which appear hidden among the leaves.
The fruit is concave-ovoid with a diameter of about 4 to 5 mm, 4-lobed with an irregular protruding beak. Usually brown in color and divided into 2 pairs of nuts.
This plant can usually be found in seasonal flood locations (for example in dry rice fields), lake areas, and rivers. Creeping coldenia is also said to be resistant to severe drought. Until now there have been reports regarding its invasive nature as a weed.
Ingredients and Benefits of Creeping Coldenia for Health
Even though it is native to Indonesia, this plant is not very popular in the country. However, in other countries, such as India, Coldenia procumben or creeping coldenia is one of the herbal plants used in traditional medicine.
All parts of the creeping coldenia plant have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation, rheumatism and diabetes. Creeping coldenia is also reported to consist of several phytoconstituents belonging to the categories of flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides (M.A. Aleemuddin et al., 2011). Creeping coldenia is also said to be used as an external application for healing pus boils (Kumar Banoth et al., 2015).