Common name: Lidah Biawak, Lidah Buaya
Scientific name: Sansevieria Trifasciata
Family: Agavaceae

Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Usage : Fibre from the leaves of Sansevieria is used locally for making string, rope, nets, mats, hats, backs for matting, hammocks and coarse fabrics, mainly in India and Africa. The name bowstring hemp stems from the longtime use of Sansevieria fibre for bows in India. Sansevieria fibre is also used for paper production. In Southeast Asia, Sansevieria fibre is locally used, but it is not always clear which species are involved. In the Philippines Sansevieria fibre is mixed with pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) fibre in weaving fabrics. In Vietnam Sansevieria fibre is sometimes used for making string. Good-quality S. trifasciata fibre was produced in Singapore and Malaysia in the early 20th Century, but interest was short-lived and commercial production never occurred. In Singapore and Indo-China the warm juice of S. trifasciata leaves is dropped into the ear as a treatment for earache. In Indo-China the juice of fresh leaves is used to treat pharyngitis and hoarseness. In Perak (Malaysia) a warm decoction of the leaves is applied to itchy skin. In Java the sap of S. trifasciata has been used to promote hair-growth. In the Philippines roasted Sansevieria leaves serve as an emollient. The pulp remaining after mechanical fibre extraction from S. trifasciata leaves contains gelling substances which are used in India as a base for cosmetics and medicines. Sansevieria is grown worldwide as an ornamental plant.