Pouzolzia zeylanica

(L.) Benn.

Graceful pouzolzbush

Urticaceae Edible: Leaves, Roots, Leaves - tea 3,476 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

Summary

Pouzolzia zeylanica, commonly known as graceful Pouzolz's bush or Ceylon pouzolzia, is a perennial herb native to Tropical and Subtropical Asia and Northern Australia. This species, which grows primarily in seasonally dry tropical biomes, reaches a height of 12–40 cm and is characterized by its pale green flowers arranged in loose, hairy clusters in the leaf axils. The plant features lance-shaped to rhomboid-ovate leaves that can be opposite or rarely alternate, and its rootstock is often tuberous. The species has also been introduced to other regions, including Florida and El Salvador.

Description

A small herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 40-80 cm tall. The base of the plant can creep along the ground and form roots at the nodes. The leaves have leaf stalks and are thinly hairy. The lower leaves occur opposite one another and the higher leaves are alternate. The leaf blade is oval and 3.5 cm long by 1 cm wide. The side veins end at the edge of the leaf. The male and female flowers are in separate round heads in the axils of leaves. The flowers are greenish. The fruit is dry and oval and ribbed.

Edible Uses

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable and have a cucumber-like smell. The roots become tuberous and are eaten raw, boiled, or roasted. Leaves are also used for tea.

Traditional Uses

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They have the smell of cucumbers. When roots become tuberous they are eaten raw, boiled or roasted.

Medicinal Uses

The juice of the plant is used to treat boils, dysentery, fevers, toothaches and urinary problems. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of indigestion. The leaves are used as a vulnerary, but more especially as a cicatrizant for gangrenous ulcers. A paste of the plant is applied to cuts and wounds.

Distribution

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in moist and humid places. In Vietnam it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Socotra, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Other Uses

A useful cordage fibre is obtained from the bark.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets in China.

Synonyms

Pouzolzia indica (L.) Gaud.Pouzolzia tuberosa WightParietaria indica L.Parietaria zeylanica L.Boehmeria nana Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don

Also Known As

Akar kutu babi, Aubi itek, Ban pate, Barbere, Basisingam, Borali bokuwa, Chiple jhar, Chipli, Daun balam, Deresan, Du shu tou, Eddu-mutte dumpa, Eddu, Gubai, Jukut krinching, Jukut letah hayam, Kallurki, Katumpang lemah, Kermah, Kukon-kukon, Nichasag, Orang-aring, Pokok kedudu paya, Reen hui, Regetan, Rubai, Sam-louthi, Ubai itek, Ubai-ubai

References (25)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 488
Balkrishna, A., et al, 2022, Indigenous Uses of Plants among Forest-dependent Communities of Seijosa, Arunachal Pradesh. International Journal of Economic Plants 2022, 9(1):064-080
Baro, D., Baruah, S. and Borthukar, S. K. 2015, Documentation on wild vegetables of Baksa district, BTAD (Assam). Scholars Research Library. Archives of Applied Science Research, 2015, 7 (9):19-2
Borrell, O.W., 1989, An Annotated Checklist of the Flora of Kairiru Island, New Guinea. Marcellin College, Victoria Australia. p 144
Barua, U., et al, 2007, Wild edible plants of Majuli island and Darrang districts of Assam. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 6(1) pp 191-194 (As Pouzolzia indica)

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