5 Facts About The Tapak Dara Plant, According To Studies Have The Potential To Treat Cancer

Illustration of the tapak dara flower plant and its benefits (Unsplash/Deepak N)

JAKARTA – Tapak dara with the scientific name Catharanthus roseus Don based on a number of studies by scientists who found that this five-petal flower contains alkaloids which are indicated to treat certain types of cancer.

To find out the full explanation, here are the facts related to the tapak dara flower plant.

1. The origin and meaning of the tread flower

Catharanthus roseus is included in the genus Vinca, the tapak dara plant is also known as the periwinkle flower. Periwinkle comes from the Latin pervincire which means to bind or wrap around. This makes sense because it relates to the character of this beautiful plant, namely growing shrubs. Some communities consider the tapak dara plant a symbol of new beginnings or friendship.

Reported by Petal Republic, Friday, February 4, there are various varieties of tread dara flowers. Most popular include Madagascar Periwinkle, Pink Periwinkle, and Rose Periwinkle.

2. Characteristics of the dara flower

The tread has five petals, is small in size, and is fused at the center of a star-shaped tube. The petals are colorful, depending on the variety. For Madagascar Periwinkle, it can be purple, pink, white, reddish and the center is darker red. Uniquely, the shape is small but not flavorful at all.

Illustration of the white tread flower plant and its benefits (Unsplash/Deepak N)

3. History and origins

The tapak dara flower was first discovered in Madagascar. This flower grows naturally in the area around Europe. They also grow in northern Africa and southern parts of Asia. Today, the tread plant grows naturally all over the world.

4. The tapak dara plant is used as medicine

In recent studies, many researchers have proven the content of alkaloids in the tapak dara flower. The content has the potential to treat cancer. In Mesopotamia since 2600 BC, this plant is rooted and used in traditional Chinese medicine and is included in Ayurveda's herbs.

5. Care and flowering season

It has been explained above that the tapak dara flower can grow naturally all over the world. That means that this plant has a high adaptability. Treatment if used as an ornamental plant is not difficult. The simplicity of the flower and leaf structure also represents the simplicity of care.

Tapak dara flowers bloom in the warmer spring and summer. In Indonesia, flowers will flower at an average temperature of 60 percent hot and 40 percent cold or at the beginning of the dry season and the end of the rainy season.