Damong-bingkalat
Biophytum sensitivum · Little tree plant
- Names in the book
- Makahiya, Damog̃hiya, Tag.; Mahihiin, Iloc.
- Colours
- floweryellow
- Native range
- Tropical Asia and Africa
- In the Philippines, per the book
- Common in all parts of the islands.
- Family
- Oxalidaceae, filed in the book under Geraniaceæ
- Printed as
- Biophytum sensitivum, DC. (B. cumiagianum, Turez.; Oxalis sensitivum, Blanco.)
- Sources
- Page 59 on Project Gutenberg · Wikipedia
The plant today
Biophytum sensitivum, also known as little tree plant, or Mukkutti (in Malayalam) is a species of plant in the genus Biophytum of the family Oxalidaceae. It is commonly found in Kerala, wet lands of Nepal, tropical India and in other Southeast Asian countries and is used for medicinal purposes in Nepal and India. The plant is also a common weed in disturbed environments, but in captivity, Biophytum sensitivum is particularly sensitive to spider mites. Investigations have been undertaken into the plant's chemistry, biological activities, and medicinal uses.
Excerpt from “Biophytum sensitivum” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Recorded in the Philippines
GBIF holds 136 records of this plant from the Philippines. The ones with map coordinates fall in 18 provinces, most often Capiz (5), Batangas (4), Davao del Sur (3), Rizal (3), Antique (3), Bohol (2), Metropolitan Manila (2), Aklan (2), and 10 more.
Counts from GBIF occurrence records, October 2026. They include planted trees and garden plants, and a province with no records may only lack collectors.
What the 1901 book says
A historical record, quoted as printed. Doses and remedies here are not medical advice.
Uses
A decoction of the leaves is used internally as an expectorant. The bruised leaves are used as an application to wounds and contusions. In Java the decoction is used internally in asthma, phthisis and snake bites.
The peculiar property which this plant possesses of closing its leaves when touched, has caused the natives of India to attribute to it mysterious virtues. Symbolism has determined its therapeutic application and the Hindoos pretend that it endows with delicacy and modesty women who lack these virtues and that it restores virginity.
Botanical description
A plant about 7′ high. Stem straight, nodose and without branches. Leaves abruptly pinnate, the place of the odd leaflet taken by a stylet. The leaflets nearly linear with a small point at the apex, 11–13 pairs, 2 stipules to each pair. Common petioles long, cleft at the base and disposed in whorls around and on the end of the stem. Flowers sessile, verticillate, on the ends of several very long peduncles which rise from the midst of the petioles. Calyx, 5 sepals. Corolla, 5 petals, clawed, rounded at the end and slightly notched, forming a tube. Stamens 10, free. A small gland on the outer surface of the base of each short stamen. Styles 5. Seed vessels ovate, 5-angled, containing many seeds.
Recent research
The most cited papers since 2022 that name this plant in the title, pulled from Europe PMC in October 2026. Titles are the authors' own and the findings have not been reviewed here.
- Biophytum sensitivum: a promising herbal diet supplement for enhancing growth, immune response, antioxidant status, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
- Anxiolytic action of a methanolic extract of Biophytum sensitivum (L) DC leaves