Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	0.2 m to 1.2 m

Native Distribution	Tropical & Subtropical Africa and Asia
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Local Conservation Status

Cryptogenic

Growth Form	Perennial herb up to 1.2 m tall.
Foliage	Green, papery leaves (1.5-7 cm long, 0.4-4 cm wide) are broadly obovate (egg-shaped) or elliptic-oblong (oval-elongated). They are hairy on both sides.
Stems	Stems are 4-sided and covered in short hairs.

Flowers	Flowers are arranged in a 10-30 cm long spike inflorescence which is initially erect, but later bends backwards after the flowers bloom.
Fruits	Dry, indehiscent fruit known as a utricle is bladder-like and covered by loose, papery tissue. Each egg-shaped fruit (2.5-3 mm long) contains 1 brown, egg-shaped seed (2 mm long).
Ethnobotanical Uses	Edible Plant Parts (Edible Leaves, Edible Seeds) Food (Fruit & Vegetable : The leaves and seeds are eaten cooked.) Medicinal ( In folk medicine, the plant is used to treat asthma and cough. It is one of the most important medicinal herbs in Nepal. The whole plant is used medicinally, but the roots are generally considered to be more effective. A decoction of crushed plant material is taken to treat pneumonia. Infusion of the root is a mild astringent in bowel complaints. The flowering spikes or seeds are applied externally to treat snake bites. In India and Nepal, ashes from burning the plant are mixed with mustard oil and salt and used to clean teeth. The stem of the plant is stripped of thorns and then used as a toothbrush. The infusion of the twig is used as a gargle for toothaches. Roots are used to treat cancer and indigestion.)

Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance	Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Landscape Uses	General, Flowerbed / Border
Thematic Landscaping	Economic Garden

Light Preference	Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Propagation Method	Seed

Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Young Flush Texture(s)	Velvety / Furry / Tomentose

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Margin	Entire

Flower Colour(s)	Green
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Terminal

Inflorescence Type

Spike

References

Images

Master ID	31568
Species ID	5967
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.