Distribution and Habitat: West Indies and South America.

Botany: It is a perennial plant with rhizomatous roots. The plants attain a height of 3 m and produce bright red flowers.                

Properties: Diuretic, antidaibetic, antioxidant

Chemical constituents: Swietinine and Typhasterol, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, ferulic acid, caffeic acid etc

Uses: Paste made from rhizomes applied in bone fracture. remedy against ringworm. Used in irregular menstruation

Agrotechnology

Soil & Climate: They grow well in warm humid climate with well drained organic rich soil.

Propagation: Divisions of rhizomes.