Sabah snake grass
Clinacanthus nutans

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The leaves are oval or sword shaped and 7-12 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. They are hairy when young. There can be teeth along the edge. The flowers are near the top of the plant. They are dull red with a green base. They are tube shaped and 6 cm across. The fruit is an oval capsule 2 cm long. There are up to 4 seeds.

There is only one (3) Clinacanthus species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dipterocarp forests and also in savannah up to 700 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Leaves are sold in markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Pokok belalai gajah

Synonyms

Clinacanthus burmanii Nees; Justicia nutans Burm.f.;