The authorship of this name is not universally accepted. Tropicos and the Flora of China[] record it as (L.) R.Br., whilst some other reports say it is (L.) Aiton & Aiton f.[].

Common Name:

General Information

Flemingia strobilifera is a much-branched, erect or almost climbing shrub that can grow from 30 - 300cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of material for stuffing pillows. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, and is used in dried flower arrangements, being valued for its dried bracts[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines

Habitat

Mountain slopes at elevations from 200 - 1,600 metres in southern China[]. Open, dry, waste places in the Philippines, where it is probably introduced[]. Abandoned pastures and other disturbed areas, often forming thickets[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally succeed in sunny and partially shady positions so long as the soil is well-drained[].
The plant is cultivated as an ornamental. It has often escaped from cultivation and has been recorded as invasive in some areas[]. It is capable of forming dense stands that compete with native vegetation[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

The ripe fruits are eaten fresh[]. This report probably refers to the green seedpods[].

Medicinal

A decoction or infusion of the leaves and the flowers is used in the treatment of tuberculosis[].
A decoction of the leaves is given as a bath after childbirth and is also used as a treatment for rheumatish[, , ].
The leaves are used both externally and internally as a vermifuge for children[, ].

A decoction or infusion of the leaves and flowers is used in the treatment of tuberculosis[].

One seed a month is chewed by women as a contraceptive[].

The root is used in the treatment of indigestion, fevers epilepsy and hysteria, to induce sleep and to relieve pain[, , , ]. If a sufficient dose is taken, the roots can induce a heavy sleep even if the person is experiencing great pain. There are no ill effects[].
The fresh roots are crushed in water in a mortar and pestle - the liquid is taken twice daily for 7 days as a treatment for diarrhoea and dysentery[]
A paste made from the root is applied topically to treat swellings[].

The methanolic extract of F. strobilifera root and leaf posseses good antioxidant activity, which might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stresses[].
Flemingiaflavanone isolated from F.strobilifera showed significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (S.aureus, S.epidermidis, MRSA), Gram-negative bacteria (Ps. aeruginosa, E. coli) and fungi (C.albicans)[].
Anil kumar KV reported the anti-ulcer effect of chloroform extract of F.strobilifera root. Anti-ulcer effect was evaluated by water immersion induced ulcer in rats[].
Pretreatment with Chloroform extract of Flemingia strobilifera root at a dose of 15 and 30 mg/kg body wt. increased the gastric mucosal glutathione level, total protein content significantly (P<0.001) as compared to control group[].
An in vitro study showed that a 75% ethanolic extract of F. macrophylla (FME) inhibited osteoclast differentiation of cultured rat bone marrow cells, and the active component, lespedezaflavanone A (LDF-A), was responsible for that[].
Aqueous extract of Flemingia macrophylla (AFM) has protective effect against hepatic injury induced by CCl4. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected as biomarkers in the blood to indicate hepatic injury[].
Oral administration of AFM, 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg doses significantly decreased ALT and AST, attenuated the histopathology of hepatic injury, ameliorated oxidative stress in hepatic tissue[].
Shiao et al. reported the neuroprotective action from flavonoids of F. macrophylla[].

Other Uses

The dried bracts are used for stuffing pillows and cushions[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
Cuttings[].

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