Flemingia semialata Roxb., commonly known as Winged-Stalk Flemingia, is an erect, perennial shrub belonging to the Fabaceae (legume) family. Native to tropical and subtropical Asia, this plant holds significant economic and ecological importance, particularly in regions like India, Nepal, and China. It is well-known for its primary use as a host plant for the lac insect (Kerria lacca), which produces a valuable resin used in various industries. Beyond its role in lac cultivation, F. semialata is also recognized for its use in traditional medicine, its ability to improve soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, and its potential as a fodder crop.
Name in Different Countries The plant is known by a variety of common names across its native range, often reflecting its local uses or appearance.
Hindi: Bara solpan, Ban chola
Nepali: भट्टे (Bhatte), भटमासे लहरा (Bhatamaase Laharaa)
Oriya: Marotonoya
Garo (Northeast India): achakkimi-chong
Thai: Pik ka (ปีกกา)
English: Winged-Stalk Flemingia
Terminology The scientific classification of the plant is as follows:
Family: Fabaceae (Pea or Bean Family)
Genus: Flemingia
Species: semialata
The term "semialata" and its common name "Winged-Stalk Flemingia" refer to one of its key distinguishing features: the presence of a "wing" or a narrow, flat extension along the petiole (leaf-stalk) of its trifoliolate leaves. This feature is often used to differentiate it from other related species.
Availability
Flemingia semialata is a widely distributed plant, primarily found in its native regions of Asia. Its natural habitat spans countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In India, it is found in numerous states, including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, which are major centers for lac production. The plant is adaptable and can thrive in various soil types, except for marshy land, and is often found on plains and mountain slopes up to 1,600 meters in altitude. The seeds of F. semialata can be difficult to procure and are relatively expensive, with prices reported to be in the range of ₹2000-₹4000 per kilogram.
External Look
Habit: F. semialata is an erect, bushy shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.5 to 2.0 meters. Its young branches are densely covered in fine hairs.
Leaves: The leaves are trifoliolate, meaning each leaf is composed of three leaflets. The petiole (the stalk connecting the leaf to the stem) is a defining characteristic, being narrowly winged and measuring 2.5 to 7.5 cm in length. The leaflets are broadly lanceolate (lance-shaped with a broad base), acuminate (tapering to a long, pointed tip), and can be up to 15 cm long and 5 cm wide. They are minutely gland-dotted on their underside.
Flowers: The flowers are purple or pink in color, approximately 6-6.5 mm long, and are arranged in axillary or terminal racemes (unbranched flower clusters) that are often branched and longer than the leaf petiole.
Fruit: The fruit is a small, pubescent (hairy), two-seeded pod, measuring 12-13 mm in length.
Healing Properties and Advantages While some medicinal properties are often attributed to the Flemingia genus as a whole, specific studies on F. semialata are more limited. However, like its close relatives, the plant is a source of various bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids, isoflavones, and chalcones, which are known for their health benefits.
Healing Properties:
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: Extracts from the plant, particularly the roots, have been studied for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Antioxidant Activity: The flavonoids present in the plant help to neutralize free radicals, which can contribute to various diseases.
Traditional Uses: In traditional medicine, roots of Flemingia species are used to treat conditions like rheumatism, arthropathy, and leucorrhea.
Advantages:
Soil Improvement: As a leguminous plant, F. semialata forms a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen, thereby enriching the soil and improving its fertility.
Drought Tolerance: The plant is known for its ability to withstand fairly long dry spells and can grow on a wide variety of soil types.
Fodder Crop: It is used as a fodder crop, providing nutrition for livestock.
Lac Cultivation: Its bushy, perennial nature, coupled with its relatively short height (making it easy to manage from the ground), makes it a superior host plant for lac insects, particularly for the Kusmi strain, which fetches a better market price.
Uses
The uses of Flemingia semialata can be divided into its primary economic use and its other practical applications.
Lac Cultivation: This is the most significant commercial use of the plant. F. semialata is a highly valued host for the lac insect, which secretes a waxy resin known as lac. This resin is the raw material for shellac, used in polishes, varnishes, dyes, and various industrial applications. India is the world's leading producer of lac, and F. semialata is playing an increasingly vital role in this industry due to its ease of cultivation and high yield potential.
Soil Conservation: Due to its deep roots and nitrogen-fixing capability, it is planted to prevent soil erosion and improve the health of agricultural land.
Traditional Medicine: The plant's roots are used in traditional systems of medicine to prepare decoctions or powders for treating a range of ailments.
Fodder: Its leaves and stems are used as a source of fodder for animals.
Using Way
In Lac Cultivation:
The plant is propagated through seeds or stem cuttings.
Lac insects are "seeded" or inoculated onto the young branches of the plant.
The lac encrustation is harvested from the branches after the insects have completed their life cycle.
The plant is then pruned, which stimulates new growth for subsequent lac crops.
In Traditional Medicine:
The roots are typically collected, dried, and then processed into various forms.
They may be ground into a powder or boiled to create a decoction. These preparations are then consumed orally for their intended therapeutic effects.
Conclusion
Flemingia semialata is far more than just a wild shrub; it is a multi-faceted plant with substantial economic, ecological, and medicinal value. Its role as a preferred host for lac insects has made it a cornerstone of the lac industry, particularly in India, where it supports the livelihoods of many, especially women farmers. Simultaneously, its ability to fix nitrogen makes it an excellent tool for soil fertility and conservation. The presence of powerful phytochemicals provides a foundation for its use in traditional remedies, cementing its place as a plant of significant therapeutic interest. As research continues to uncover its full potential, Flemingia semialata is poised to remain a vital resource for sustainable agriculture and natural health solutions.
