Waltheria indica

Waltheria indica is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that has a pantropical distribution. It is believed to have originated in the Neotropics. Common names include sleepy morning, basora prieta, hierba de soldado, guimauve, mauve-gris, moto-branco, fulutafu, kafaki, and ʻuhaloa (Hawaii). W. indica is a short-lived subshrub or shrub, reaching a height of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a stem diameter of 2 cm (0.79 in). It is most common in dry, disturbed or well-drained, moist habitats. In Puerto Rico, it grows in areas that receive 750–1,800 mm (30–71 in) of annual rainfall and at elevations from sea level to more 400 m (1,300 ft).

Description

A herb or shrub. It grows 4 m high. The leaves are simple and 2-10 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. There are white stellate hairs on both sides. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The flowers are 3-4 mm wide. They have 5 yellow or orange petals. The fruit is a capsule. They are brown and 2 mm long and have 1 valve. They are tightly clustered together and are hairy. There is 1 seed.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The fruit is also edible.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The roots, leaves and flowers of W. indica are all used medicinally in some cultures.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows on sandy shores. It grows in monsoon and vine forests throughout the tropics. It also grows in woodland and savannah. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 800 m altitude. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, America, Anguilla, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Central America*, Chile, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Easter Island, Eswatini, Fiji, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles*, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marquesas, Mexico*, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America*, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Uganda, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies*, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Succeeds in a wide range of soils. The plant is a ubiquitous weed and early colonizer in disturbed ground, tolerant of a wide spectrum of habitats and elevations. It is considered to be invasive in many areas. The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round.10] Whereas Waltheria indica plants from Central America are homostylous, plants in India are reported as heterostylous[3.

Propagation

Seed - the fruit is a small, round, dry capsule containing one seed. Collect the tiny capsules when they are mature, but before they have turned completely brown. Dry them in a paper container for about a week and sift the resulting material though a strainer to separate the seeds. Sow the seeds on the surface of a planting mix; gently firm the seeds into the soil; place them in a shaded area and keep the mix damp until germination, although be careful to avoid excessive moisture. Germination takes 1 to 3 months.

Other Uses

|The bark yields a fibre similar to jute (Corchorus spp.), but is of no commercial interest.

Notes

There are about 30-60 Waltheria species. They are mostly in tropical America. It is used in medicine. Some authorities put it in the Sterculiaceae and Byttneriaceae.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Asum katito, Bauk-hpyaw, Bauk-hpyu, Bauk mya, Botongue-bandanuele, Bueta-rufera, Cujucujient, Dabada, Delelemukula, Egweret, Ensano, Fulutafu, Fulutalut, Futidorum-assai, Kafafe, Khain, Khar dudhi, Khwe-tayaw, Maracheera, Mefaga, Meidebossie, Nallabenda, Siigarab, Sinni, Sochinconhedje, Taansaai, Tambu, Tan sai, Uhadaaru-xoxoco, Uhaloa, Umputiputi

References (26)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 687
• Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 5. Kew.
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 2294
• Cancilla, D., 2018, Ethnobotanical and Ethnozoological Values Desktop Assessment - Eliwana Project. p 15
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 191

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