Meet Tacca palmata, locally known as Payung-payungan—a fascinating plant native to Southeast Asia. Found throughout Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and across the Philippines, this unique herb grows in forests and thickets at lower elevations.
What Makes It Special
Payung-payungan is easy to recognize once you know what to look for. The plant grows from an underground tuber, sending up long, slender stems that support its distinctive flowers and leaves. Its dark green leaves are deeply divided into 5-7 finger-like segments, creating a dramatic, hand-shaped appearance.
The flowers are truly unusual—umbrella-like clusters that range from green to dark purple, with six petals and greenish centers. After flowering, the plant produces round fruits that change color as they ripen, starting green, turning yellow, and finally developing reddish tones. Each fruit contains 3-5 pyramid-shaped seeds.
Traditional Healing Properties
For generations, communities across Southeast Asia have used Payung-payungan as a natural remedy. In the Philippines, people scrape and chew the underground tuber to relieve indigestion and stomachaches. Women traditionally use it for menstrual problems, while it’s also known as a treatment for severe digestive ailments. In Thailand, healers crush the tuber into a paste and apply it directly to fresh wounds.
Visit Us
Want to see Payung-payungan in person? Visit the Makiling Botanic Gardens to discover this remarkable plant and explore our diverse collection of Southeast Asian flora. Be sure to watch our accompanying video to learn more about Tacca palmata and see its fascinating features up close. Come experience the rich botanical heritage that makes our region a biodiversity hotspot. (by AALimpiada and ACMalayba)