Microstachys chamaelea (L.) Müll. Arg.
| Etymology | Genus | Small (Micro) flower spike (stachys), referring to the male inflorescence |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Low; referring to the plant's short form | |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | |
| Synonyms | Cnemidostachys chamaelaea (L.) Spreng., Tragia chamaelea L., Sebastiania chamaelea (L.) Müll.Arg. | |
| Common Names | Creeping Sebastiania | |
| Status | Cryptogenic | |
| Form | Herb | |
| Native Distribution | Central Africa, China, India, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Malesia | |
Diagnostics:
Microstachys chamaelea is an erect herb normally not more than 30cm tall. The alternately arranged leaves are lanceolate and have very fine serrated margins. The diagnostic feature is the tri-lobed fruit with (often) reddish spines.
Interesting Facts:
In Africa, decoctions of the stems are used to relieve teething pain (as a bath), vertigo (applied on head), and taken with butter as a form of tonic (Schmelzer, 2007).
Form of the Creeping Sebastiania
The male flowers arranged on a spike (left) and the fruit (right)
The leaves are lanceolate.
The leaf margin is finely serrated.
References
Schmelzer GH. (2007) Microstachys chamaelea (L.) Müll.Arg. In: Schmelzer GH & A Gurib-Fakim. (Eds.) PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Medicinal plants / Plantes médicinales. Wageningen, Netherlands. http://www.prota4u.org. Accessed 9-Jun-2013.Author: Siyang
Posted: 2013-06-09 / Modified: 2017-12-25
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