Euphorbia hirta L.

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Equisetopsida > Malpighiales > Euphorbiaceae > Euphorbia > E. hirta

Description: Slender, erect, pubescent herbs about 20-35 cm tall. Leaves decussate, 1-2.5 x 0.7-1.5 cm, broadly oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, base obliquely truncate, margin serrulate, apex acute, hispid on both sides, basally 3-nerved; petiole to 3 mm long. Cyathia aggregated in single or paired axillary clusters. Involucre minute, c. 1 mm long; glands 5, red. Male flowers 4-6, ebracteolate. Female florets laterally pendulous; styles 2-fid from base. Capsule 1.5-2 mm across, pubescent. Seeds minute, red, 4-angled, minutely furrowed.

Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout the year

Uses: It sometimes used in medicines; the leaves and latex against intestinal diseases, ulcers and bronchitis, and the latex for conjunctivitis. It may have slightly poisonous properties and is useless as fodder for livestock.It is used to treat unspecified medicinal disorders.

Cultivation: Wild

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org