Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.

Taxanomy
Phylum : Magnoliophyta
Class    : Magnoliopsida
Order   : Malpighiales
Family  : Phyllanthaceae
Genus  : Sauropus
Species: Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.


                                                


Common Name
Cekur Manis, Chekkurmanis, Chekop, Star Gooseberry, Sweet Leaf Bush

Characteristics
Belonging to the Phyllanthaceae family, S. androgynus is a glabrous shrub that is monoecious, erect, and can reach heights of 1-3 m.

                                                  


Morphology

Leaves
The plant has green, slender branchlets that become terete as they mature. The lanceolate or linear-lanceolate stipules measure 1.5-3 mm and the petiole is 2-4 mm long.

Stem
Stems vertical, somewhat woody.

Flower
The plant has unisex flowers without petals that grow on the same plant in the leaf axils. The female flowers consist of 6 red sepals surrounding a cream-coloured pistil, while the male flowers have 6 cream-coloured sepals enclosing 3 reddish stamens.

                                                    

Plant part used
Whole plant, leaves and roots.

Traditional uses

• S. androgynus roots have diuretic properties and are used to treat urinary complaints.
• They are also used to treat cardiovascular diseases and hypertension-related symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, and fainting spells.
• The plant is given to women after delivery to enhance lactation and promote early post-partum recovery.

Medicinal used

• The plant is commonly used in traditional medicine across South and Southeast Asia, as well as China, to treat a variety of conditions such as cough, fever, hypertension, diabetes, vision loss, and gastrointestinal and urinary disorders.

                                                     
 
List of country

Sauropus androgynus is a plant species native to India and the Malay Archipelago, and can be found growing both cultivated and wild in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in the vicinity of villages.

Red List Category
Not Evaluated (NE)    

Muhammad Nazri Azam Bin Jafree