Sunday, June 9, 2024

Elephantopus scaber L.

 

Family: Asteraceae

Vernacular name: Anayatiyan

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Shady forests, Often on open slopes, roadsides or forest margins in valleys

Flowering & Fruiting: May-October

Distribution: Tropical & Subtropical Old World

Key identification features: Elephant Foot is a rather coarse, rigid, erect, hairy herb. Stems forked, and stiff. Leaves are mostly in basal rosette and oblong-ovate to oblong-lancelike. Those on the stem few and much smaller. Purple flowers. Each head comprises about 4 flowers. Fruits are achenes, ribbed. Pappus from 4 to 6 mm long with rigid ristles.

Uses: Roots and leaves are used as emollient for dysuria, diarrhoea, dysentery, swellings and stomach pain. Root is prescribed to prevent vomiting. Powdered with pepper it is applied for tooth-ache. Leaves are used in applications for eczema and ulcers.



No comments:

Post a Comment

Blechnum orientale L.

  Family : Blechnaceae  Habit : Subshrub Habitat : Wet tropical biome Distribution :   Western Australia and Southern Asia Flowering...