(Primulaceae) Maesa perlaria (Lour.) Merr.

Common name(s): ​ກົກ ຄັບ (kok khap)

Medicinal use(s): Used as a women’s tonic and for the treatment of gonorrhea.

Part(s) used: leaf, root

Field characters: Shrub, fruits profuse, dull green. Common. 

Locality: Xieng Khoang province, Kham District, Kham Medicinal Biodiversity Preserve, 15 km from Kham town.

Habitat: Broadleaved evergreen submontane forest. Edge of forest along road.

Altitude: 1130 m asl

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

Collection number(s): DDS 14958

Collection date: May 16, 2014

Additional information: 

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no.  2313831.

Synonyms, images, taxonomic descrption: 

Flora of China Vol. 15 Page 6Plants of the World onlineGBIF Global Biodiversity Facility Information 

Useful references: 


Barman A, Barman M, Das R, Ray S. Traditional Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Bioactivities and Toxicity of the Genus Maesa (Primulaceae): A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Herbal Medicine 2023, 41(4):100720. DOI:10.1016/j.hermed.2023.100720 
Foubert, K. et al. LC-MS analysis of 13,28-epoxy-oleanane saponins in Maesa spp. extracts with antileishmanial activity. Phytochem Anal 2009; 20(2):159-167.       
Tsang NY, Li WF, Varhegyi E, et al. Ebola Entry Inhibitors Discovered from Maesa perlarius. Int J Mol Sci 2022, 23(5):2620. doi: 10.3390/ijms23052620.