Bawang Dayak - Eleutherine bulbosa

Eleutherine bulbosa is an herbaceous, perennial flowering plant species in the iris family (Iridaceae) , first described as a genus in 1843.  The generic name derived from the Greek word eleuthera, meaning "free".

It is known as Bawang Dayak in Sarawak, Bawang Sabrang ( Indonesia ), Babawangan ( Sunda )

Synonyms

Bermudiana bulbosa, B. congesta.

Cipura plicata.

Eleutherine americana, E.anomala, E. longifolia, E. plicata, E. plicata, E. subaphylla,

Ferraria parviflora..

Galatea Americana, G bulbosa, G plicata,  

Ixia americana.

Sisyrinchium americanum,  S. bulbosum, S. capitatum, S. congestum, S. elatum, S. latifolium. S. palmifolium var. congestum, S. plicatum, S.racemosum

Origin & Distribution

The plant is originated from tropical America, but now is widely cultivated South East Asia.

Description

E. bulbosa is a berbaceous plant capable to grow up to 40cm in height.

The stem is erect or drooping, subterranean, elongated ovoid and red in colour.

The leaves ae radial, lanceolate, glabrous, measure 25-60cm x 1.2-5cm.

The flower are white or yellow in colour and open in the evening for 2 hours.

Etnobotany

Eleutherine bulbosa is an important element of the American Indian pharmacopeia. 

In SE Asia Eleutherine bulbosa is used as carminative, together with galangal it can treat cold and nasal congestion in children.  In Dayak tribe, it is used the bulb for increasing breast-milk production as well as treatment of diabetes, breast cancer, stroke, hypertension and sexual disorder.  In other areas it is found to treat coronary disorder, and used as diuretic, emetic, purgative, prothrombin decreasing, antifertility, anti-hipertension, wound-healing activity.