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THERE are many varieties of plants that grow very well within the state.  While some are woody and tough, others are of the soft herbaceous types that may be annuals or perennials.  

Many of such plants are seldom cultivated but instead they are mostly scattered all over open spaces, neglected plots or abandoned lands.  To the uninitiated, these plants may be considered as wild varieties as they grow and spread on their own without care or attention.

While the so-called wild or untended plants are plentiful in all corners of the land, most of them may either be of little or no use at all to human beings, at least for the time being.  

But then, even if they are of no use at all, they still serve their purpose as part of the natural chain of succession where every plant has its right to claim its place from the lowest level to the tree top canopies.  

And when short-lived plants pass on, their entire structure then breaks down and decomposes to finally return to the same earth from where it originated. This process is the same with other living things when, at the end of their lifespan, they are reclaimed by nature. 

Although plants in nature are nowadays less maximized on to provide useful herbal benefits, nevertheless, they must never be underestimated.

This is considering their untapped potential to possibly provide food on the table, or to raise the quality of life for the poor rural folks in the countless instances where billion ringgit projects have slipped through their fingers.

In this respect, the relevant ministries, departments, agencies and their officers need to pull up their socks and turun padang more often to ensure that rice bowls remain unbroken.  

For instance, Phyllanthus amarus, a small herbaceous annual has great potential to do wonders for both the table and pocket. Commonly known as the Sleeping Plant, Carry Me Seed, or Gale Of The Wind, this variety of plant grows well in hot tropical countries.  

It is often found in regions including large swaths of Africa, the Americas, China, India and South East Asia.

Sleeping Plants are small herbaceous annuals that are short in stature and narrow in width.  

The plant normally grows its central stem to a height of 30-50 cm although in prime situations, they may reach heights of 60 cm.  

Laterally, the spread is limited to a width of 15-20 cm, with multiple lateral stems that radiate outwards in a nearly perpendicular growth from the central stem as the plant ages.  

However, during its early stages, the lateral stems appear to be like fronds with a slim rib each carrying mostly compound leaves or thin branches.  

The leaves are borne as leaflets along two rows in the form of 8-13 oblong leaflets distributed in an alternate manner.  Leaflets measure about 7-10 mm in length with the axils bearing the flowers and fruits.

Fruits are round, very tiny and are about 1.5 mm in diameter. These are all carried along the length of the ribs.  

When fully mature, these fruits are easily shaken off by wind or anything that passes by, thus causing the dispersal to cover an even wider area. This usually results in large areas to be rapidly colonised by such small plants to form some kind of a natural ground cover. 

A visible characteristic of the plant is its ability to go to ‘sleep’. This is a foliar response to changing light and temperature conditions of the environment in which it grows. For example, every day at around 5 pm, it may be observed that the leaflets may begin to fold up and the by the time it is 6-7 pm all the leaflets may be closed and locked in a tight embrace.  

However, on wet and cold days, this response may be seen as early as 4 pm.  Such a response in sleeping plants is known as nyctinasty, a term than any plant biology student should know.

Sleeping plants are edible and are harmless if consumed in controlled amounts. For example, the young shoots may be harvested, washed and then stir fried over a hot kuali with the addition of chopped garlic, tuhau, chilli padi, white pepper and belacan. This is going to guarantee a fiery hot dish that, due to its mouth-watering nature, is certain to be wolfed down to the very last tiny morsel.

The plant has also been used as a medicine in many cultural practices all over the world. This includes the natives of Africa, the Americas, Asia and South East Asia.

There are traditional Chinese medicine, Indian ayurvedic and siddha medicine, and singsangs, bomohs, dukuns, etc. These experts and professionals practicing in their own respective traditional fields, have been around since centuries ago.

And even until today, they remain an important avenue for millions of people, notably, the rural folks, to seek remedial measures for their medical needs.

But surprisingly, such century old practices are still applicable within the modern day’s medical and health practices. For instance, it is claimed that sleeping plants, when prepared accordingly, may be used in a wide range of health issues affecting human beings.  

The preparations may be used in cases including bronchitis, anaemia, diarrhoea, asthma, diabetes and frequent menstruation. There are reports that claim the plant may also be used in the treatment of liver and kidney problems, gonorrhoea, syphilis, bacterial and fungal infection.

As this story is not a medical report, it is recommended that anyone who is interested should consult an accredited medical practioner, singsang, bomoh or dukun to benefit from the practices of the ancients.