Spatika (Baleria Cristata)

August 2022

Barleria cristata (Philippine violet)

Spatika is native to the Philippines and Indonesia. It was introduced into cultivation in Europe during the 19th century. In recent years, it has become very popular due to its striking appearance and unique fragrance.

Spatika flower

This plant is also called the 'Queen of Flowers' because of its stunning beauty. Its leaves are dark green and oval shaped. They are often found growing in clusters at the base of the stem. The flowers are bright purple and bloom from May to June.

The Philippine violet is an annual herbaceous plant in the family Violaceae. The genus name Barleria derives from the Latin word barlum meaning "a little bell". Its common names include violets, violet bells, and Filipino violet. It is sometimes called the Manila violet because it grows wild in the city.

It is commonly known as the Philippine Violet because of its striking appearance. Its flowers come in various colors such as white, pink, red, orange, yellow, and blue.

The Philippine violet is a beautiful plant that grows up to 2 meters tall. Its flowers look like small purple bells, which bloom from May to August. This plant has been used for centuries in folk medicine for treating colds, fever, coughs, and stomachaches.

In addition to being used medicinally, the Philippine violet is also grown commercially for ornamental purposes. It can be seen in gardens all over the world.

The habitat of the Philippine violet includes tropical forests, grasslands, shrub lands, and swamps. It prefers moist areas with rich soil. It can grow in full sun or partial shade.

Spatica (Barleria cristata)

Propagation

The Philippine violet can be easily propagated by seed. Seeds should be planted in early spring. They need to be kept warm until germination occurs. Once the seeds sprout, they should be transplanted to larger pots.

The Philippine violet blooms best when temperatures range between 25°C and 30°C. If the temperature drops below 20°C, the flowers will not bloom.

When the weather gets too hot, the flowers may droop. To keep them upright, place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles.

When the flowers start wilting, cut off the stalks and store them in a cool area. You can replant the stems after six months.

To propagate the plant, you can either take cuttings or divide the roots. Cuttings should be placed in a mixture of sand and perlite. Water the cutting well and let it sit for three days. Then transplant it to a new pot.

Division involves taking several pieces of the root and planting them in separate containers. This process takes longer than taking cuttings but produces more plants.

Spatica (Barleria cristata)

Uses

The uses of the Philippine violet are numerous. It is used medicinally to treat colds, fever, and stomachaches. It is also used as an ornamental plant. Today, flower petals are used to flavor ice cream, cakes, and other desserts.

Medicinal Uses of Spatika

The medicinal use of the Philippine violet dates back thousands of years. It is still used today in traditional Chinese medicine. The roots of the plant are dried and ground into powder. It is then mixed with water and taken orally.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the root of the Philippine violet contains ingredients that help to strengthen the body's immune system.
Barleria is an important medicinal plant in China and other parts of Asia. In many cases, it is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
It has been found that extracts of this plant have anti-inflammatory properties.
The Philippine violet has been used for centuries to treat various ailments such as fever, diarrhea, coughs, colds, skin diseases, and wounds. It also helps to prevent miscarriage and premature labor.
Its leaves were used to treat stomachaches, while its roots were used to cure diarrhea.

Ornamental Use of Spatika

The Philippine violet is one of the most popular plants in the world. It is widely cultivated for its attractive flowers.
The flower color ranges from white, pink, red to orange, yellow, and even blue. Some varieties have double flowers. These flowers last about two weeks before they wilt away.

Spatica (Barleria cristata)