Rachini-heng-mai-bai | ราชินีแห่งไม้ใบ | Caladium bicolor
Family: Araceae - Genus: Caladium
You can find a number of variations of this plant all over the premises of Eco-Logic Thailand and the Thai Child Development Foundation during the rainy season.
The genus Caladium bicolor has hundreds of color variations with green, white, pink, and red. They grow in open areas of the forest and on the banks of rivers and go dormant during the dry season. The wild plants grow to 40–90 centimeter tall, with leaves mostly 15–45 centimeter long and broad. The Thai for this beautiful plant is 'Queen of the Leaves'.
Caladiums grow from tubers.
NOTE: All parts of the plant are poisonous. They should not be ingested and may irritate sensitive skin.
During the rainy season you will find this plant everywhere on the premises of TCDF and Eco-Logic.
THE PLANT
The wild plants grow to 40–90 centimeter tall, with leaves mostly 15–45 centimeter long and broad.
THE LEAVES
Leaves of the Caladium are mostly 15–45 centimeter long and broad. It has hundreds of color variations with green, white, pink, and red.
The Thai for this beautiful plant is 'Queen of the Leaves'.
THE FLOWERS
Blooming on caladium plants isn’t common, but mature plants do develop a flower-like bud.
THE FRUIT
After blooming, the caladium forms a tight cluster of orange or white berries, each containing up to 10 seeds, will appear.
CULINARY USES
All parts of the plant are poisonous. They should not be ingested and may irritate sensitive skin.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE OF NEEDLE FLOWER
NOTE: please take advice from a doctor if you are planning to use herbal medicine.
All parts of the plant are poisonous. They should not be ingested and may irritate sensitive skin. In traditional medicine the plant is said to be used for:
The powdered tuber is used to treat facial skin blemishes
Crushed leaves are used in veterinary medicine to destroy vermin on sores of cattle.
The juice of the stems is used in the form of an enema to expel roundworms[.
When applied to the skin, the juice destroys maggots.
INTO THE WILD: a down to earth experience
For guests and visitors to Paksong we organize weekly tours "The Edible Forest" and Foraging weekends: Into the Wild. We work with local guides to take you in the jungle of Paksong. After foraging, we will cook a meal with the ingredients, using bamboo together with you!
Come and join and learn about the abundance of food that nature gives us!
INTO THE WILD!
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