59-KALANCHOE PINNATA (Harvey)
Local names: Panphuti, parnaphuti, cathedral bells, air plant, life plant, miracle leaf, Goethe plant
Family: Crassulaceae
Location: Botanical Garden, Botany Dept.
Characters: The species is distinctive for the profusion of miniature plantlets that form on the margins of its phylloclades, a trait it has in common with some other members of Bryophyllum (now kalanchoe). It is a succulent, perennial plant, about 1 m tall, with fleshy cylindrical stems and young growth of a reddish tinge, which can be found in flower throughout most of the year. The specific epithet "pinnata" is the feminine form of the Latin adjective pinnatus, meaning "winged, pinnate". The leaves of this species are thick, fleshy, elliptical in shape, curved, with a crenate or serrated margin, often reddish. Simple at the base of the stem, the leaves are imparipinnate at the top, 10–30 cm long, with three to five pairs of fleshy limb lobes.
General use: Eye pain - Two drops of the juice extracted from the leaves are put in the eyes. Stomach disorder - Two spoonful of the juice extracted from the leaves are given orally. Jaundice - Juice of leaves along with black pepper powder is given till the ailment cures. Cuts & wounds - Topical application of leaf paste helps in stopping bleeding. Pain - Leaf paste is applied on the aching part. Fever - Juice of leaves along with black pepper powder is given orally. Diarrhoea - Leaves (5-6) are ground along with some sugar candy and sap obtained is administered orally Plant paste is applied on forehead to alleviate headache; leaf paste is applied externally to cure cuts and wounds; fresh sap of plant is used for eye diseases.