Chamaecrista mimosoides (L.) Greene

 

Family – Fabaceae

Synonym – Cassia mimosoides L.; Nictitella mimosoides (L.) Raf. 

Vernacular names – Cheruthakara; Padarchunda; Theemullu

Habit – Herb

Habitat – Dry and moist deciduous forests

Distribution – Paleotropics

Flowering and Fruiting – July-December

Key Identification Features - It is a shrub or herb with appressed hairy stems. Its leaves are paripinnate, and the flowers can be solitary or in racemes. The yellow petals are obovate, and the pod contains approximately 20 ellipsoid seeds.

Uses – It is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, rheumatism, and stomach pain. Additionally, it can improve soil quality by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.