Oldenlandia corymbosa L.

Etymology Genus After Henrik Bernhard Oldenland, a Danish botanist
Species After corymb; a type of inflorescence arrangement
Family Rubiaceae
Synonyms Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam.
Common Names Siku-Siku, Old World Diamond Flower
Status Exotic: Naturalised
Form Herb
Native Distribution Tropical Africa, Madacasgar, and India

Diagnostics:

Oldenlandia corymbosa is a very common herb that is commonly found growing out from the cracks of concrete pavements and drains, as well as a weed on lawns. The leaves are opposite and narrow. Tiny branched flowers or fruits of about 1mm are almost always present.


Interesting Facts:

Siku-Siku is now naturalised pantropically. Its leaves are said to be used traditionally as a poltice for the treatment of sores and sore eyes (Aguilar & Lemmens).


Narrow paired leaves.

Siku-Siku growing from a drain edge.

Tiny flowers of about 1mm. They may be white or with a slight tint of pink.

Top flattened fruits.

References

Aguilar NO & RHMJ Lemmens. (1999) Oldenlandia corymbosa L. In: de Padua LS, Bunyapraphatsara N & Lemmens RHMJ (eds). Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA) 12(1): 367 pp.


Author: Siyang
Posted: 2014-10-04 / Modified: 2017-12-25


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