Callisia fragrans

Callisia fragrans, sometimes called the false bromeliad or false bromeliad plant, is a flowering plant species of the genus Callisia, in the spiderwort family, Commelinaceae.

Description
The fleshy stem of Callisia fragrans can grow to a height of 1 m. The leaves are 25 cm long and become burgundy-violet if exposed to more prolonged sunlight (an example of "sun-stressing"). Blossoms are white and fragrant.

Range and cultivation
Callisia fragrans, also called golden tendril is endemic to Mexico, and naturalized in the West Indies, scattered locations in the United States, and a few other places. It has been cultivated in many countries as an indoor ornamental since the early 1900s. However, it can be also found growing outdoors in warmer climates in moist, fertile soil. The herb likes partially shaded areas.

Medicinal properties
It has a rich traditional reputation in Mexico as an antiviral and antimicrobial plant. In Eastern Europe, its leaves are used for the treatment of various skin diseases, burns and joint disorders. An ethanol leaf extract (tincture) has been shown to effectively inhibit the infection of Vero cells by HSV-1, HSV-2 and an ACV-resistant strain of the latter, in vitro. However, the ethanol extract, as opposed to an aquatic extract, was ineffective against VZV. Though the ethanol leaf extract had a lower selectivity index (toxicity vs. effectiveness) than ACV, it was able to inhibit the HSV-2 mutant, and may be less toxic than ACV. Direct interaction with the viruses, and the blocking of their access to l host cells, seems to be involved.