Melochia corchorifolia L.

Etymology	Genus	From Arabic name Mulukhiyah, which refers to plants in the genus Corchorus
	Species	Leaves similar to those in the genus Corchorus
Family		Malvaceae
Synonyms		-
Common Names		Chocolate Weed
Status		Native: Least Concern
Form		Shrub
Native Distribution		Tropical Asia

Diagnostics

Melochia corchorifolia is a a small shrub found in scrublands. The serrated leaves are normally arranged in pairs or threes. The flowers are variable, ranging from white to pink, and more rarely, yellow or purple (PIER, 2002).

Interesting Facts

The Chocolate Weed is known to have various pharmocological properties like having hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anthelmintic activities.

References

PIER. (2002) Melochia corchorifolia. Pacific Island Ecosystem at Risk (PIER), Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. http://www.hear.org/pier/species/melochia_corchorifolia.htm. Accessed on 25-Feb-2015.