Tragia involucrata L.

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Equisetopsida C. Agardh > Malpighiales Juss. ex Bercht. & J. Presl > Euphorbiaceae > Tragia > Tragia involucrata L.

Common name [English]: Indian stinging nettle

Vernacular name [Malayalam]: ചൊറിയണം

Nativity: Indian Subcontinent

Habitat: Evergreen broad-leaved forests, Wastelands

Description: Slender, twining herbs with stinging hairs. Leaves ovate or elliptic, base acute or rounded, margin serrate, apex acuminate, hispidulous on both sides; petiole to 2.5 cm long. Spikes axillary, monoecious, to 2 cm long; male flowers above, female flowers 1-2, at the base. Male flowers c. 1.5 mm across; bracts spathulate; tepals 3, spreading; stamens 3, anthers subsessile. Female flowers c. 3 mm across, ebracteate; tepals 6, c. 1 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, enlarged and spreading in fruits; style 3, spreading. Capsule c. 0.6 x 1 cm, 3-lobed, hispid. Seeds globose.

Flowering and Fruiting: July - December

Uses: Ayurveda, Folk medicine, Siddha

Cultivation: Wild

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org