Spermacoce ocymoides
Burm.f.
Button weed
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Summary
Source: WikipediaSpermacoce ocymoides is a species of plant in the Rubiaceae. It is widespread in Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Isles, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu.
Description
A herb. It can be erect or lie over. It can be 40 cm tall. The roots are fine and fibrous. The leaves are narrowly oval and 0.4-3.6 cm long by 0.25-1.6 cm wide. They are rounded at the tip. The flowers are in small groups at the nodes. They are 3-6 mm across. The fruit are oblong and 1 mm long by 0.8 mm wide.
Edible Uses
The leaves are applied in a poultice as a treatment for headache. The finely crushed leaves are applied to wounds. The sap is used to treat eczema, worms and ringworm.
Medicinal Uses
Traditionally used in medicine.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, East Africa, India,
Cultivation
The plant has become naturalized in areas outside its native range. The dried leaves smell strongly of coumarin.
Synonyms
References (1)
- Kumar, R. & Saikia, P., 2020, Wild edible plants of Jharkhand and their utilitarian perspectives. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol 19 (2), April 2020, pp 237-250
