Abutilon indicum var. guineense
(Schumach.) K. M. Feng
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The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London
Summary
Source: WikipediaAbutilon indicum (Indian abutilon, Indian mallow) is a small shrub in the family Malvaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions. This plant is a valuable medicinal and ornamental plant, its roots and leaves being used for curing fevers. It has been widely introduced outside of its native range, and is considered invasive on certain tropical islands.
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
Edible Uses
The seeds and leaves are edible.
Medicinal Uses
In traditional medicine, A. indicum various parts of the plant are used as a demulcent, aphrodisiac, laxative, diuretic, sedative, astringent, expectorant, tonic, anti-convulsant, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, and analgesic and to treat leprosy, ulcers, headaches, gonorrhea, and bladder infection. The whole plant is uprooted, dried and is powdered. In ancient days, maidens were made to consume a spoonful of this powder with a spoonful of honey, once in a day, for 6 months until the day of marriage, for a safe and quick pregnancy. The plant is commonly used in Siddha medicines. The root, bark, flowers, leaves and seeds are all used for medicinal purposes by Tamils. The leaves are used as adjunct to medicines used for pile complaints. The flowers are used to increase semen in men.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. In Swaziland is grows only in the low veld. It grows in the drier warm lowlands in southern Africa below 500 m altitude. In Yunnan.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Eswatini, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, West Africa, Zimbabwe,
Other Information
Probably minor.
Notes
There are about 100-160 Abutilon species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Bauk-nwe
References (2)
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 143 (As Abutilon guineense)
- Swaziland's Flora Database http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora (As Abutilon guineense)
