(Chloranthaceae) Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai

Local name(s): (Kam lang ma kam; Nha khang kho)

Medicinal use(s): Used as a tonic and to treat cases of rheumatism.

Part(s) used: root.

Field characters: Shrub, inflorescence a spike, sometimes branched, green with white spots (anthers).

Locality: Xieng Khouang Province, Kham District, Kham Medicinal Biodiversity Preserve, 15 km from Kham town. Ba Tha village.

Habitat: Broadleaved evergreen submontane forest. Edge of forest near stream.

Altitude: 1130 m asl.

Collector(s): D.D. Soejarto, K. Sydara, M. Xayvue

Collection number(s): DDS 14997 

Collection date: May 17, 2014 

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no. 2313870; DDS 15004: 2313882).

Project:  CCF

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Local name(s): (Kam lang ma kam)

Medicinal use(s): Used as a body tonic, to treat rheumatism.a tonic and to treat cases of rheumatism.

Part(s) used: root and stem.

Field characters: Small shrub on forest floor, flowers with light yellow dots (stamens), disposed along a dense spike.

Locality: Xieng Khoung Province, Kham District, Kham Medicinal Biodiversity Preserve, 15 km from Kham town. Ba Tha village.

Habitat: Broadleaved evergreen submontane forest. Forest opening.

Altitude: 1200 m asl.

Collector(s): D.D. Soejarto, K. Sydara, M. Xayvue

Collection number(s): DDS 15004

Collection date: May 17, 2014 

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no: 2313882.

Project:  CCF

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Local name(s): (Kam lang ma kam)

Medicinal use(s): used to treat arthralgia (joint pain).

Part(s) used: root.

Field characters: Large shrub, leaves opposite, serrate, fruits few, round, red on apical panicle.

Locality: Xieng Khouang Province, Kham District, Xiengkhouang, forest on the other side of the small valley behind the lone house with animal pen, off the mountain road between Muang Kham and Ban Tha.

Habitat: Roadside. Good quality, secondary tropical rainforest, on a mountain slope..

Altitude: 1137 m asl.

Collector(s): J.M. Henkin, K. Sydara, M. Xayvue, D.D. Soejarto

Collection number(s): JMH 053

Collection date: December 11, 2015 

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no: 2318629.

Project:  CCF

Synonyms, images, taxonomic description: 

Plants of the World  Online Flora of China Vol. 4 Page 132 Global Biodiversity Information FacilityPham Hoang Ho - Cayco Vietnam vol. 1, p. 287, plant #1150

Medicinal properties:



Chu JN, Krishnan P, Lim KH. A comprehensive review on the chemical constituents, sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis and biological activities of Sarcandra glabra. Nat. Prod Bioprospect 2023,13, 53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-023-00418-8  
Qian S, Zhang Y, Guan Y, et al. Sarcandra glabra: phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and its role in mucosal immunity and digestive diseases. Front Immunol 2026, 17:1851792. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1851792
Zeng Y, Liu J, Zhang Q, et al. The Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai, a Chinese Herb With Potential for Development: Review. Fron Pharmacol 2021, 12:652926. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.652926