Caesarweed
(Urena lobata L.)
Caesarweed
(Urena lobata L.)
This plant is native to Asia or Africa. Its distribution is widespread, being found in a wild or naturalized state across all tropical and subtropical regions, including Southeast Asia, Africa, Madagascar, Brazil, and India. Its stem produces fibers used to make coarse cloth and ropes.
Caesarweed requires a hot and humid climate with sufficient sunlight and abundant rainfall. It prefers an average temperature of 21–27 °C, relative humidity of 73–85%, and rainfall of 160–210 mm/month during the growing season. It is usually found from the lowlands up to 2,000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.).
Root (Akar) Taproot of about 20–40 cm and lateral roots up to 2 m long.
Stem (Batang) Round shape, highly branched, purplish-brown color, slightly hairy.
Leaves (Daun) Alternate (spirally arranged), varying in size and shape, pointed tip, green color. The petiole (leaf stalk) is about 0.2–12 cm long, and the leaf surface is hairy.
Flower (Bunga) Emerge in the leaf axils, grouped in 2–3 flowers, bell-shaped, pink color. The calyx is ovate, about 1.5 cm in size. The anther head is located in the upper segment, purple color, with white pollen.
Fruit (Buah) Consists of 5 segments, three-sided, non-dehiscent (does not split open), with 1 ovule. It is about 4–5 mm long, covered with spiny hairs and a thick covering of star-like hairs.
Seed (Biji) Reniform (kidney-shaped), 2.5–3.5 mm long, hard, hairy to glabrous (smooth), brown color.
Propagation is done generatively (using seeds).
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, treats intestinal inflammation, bladder issues, stomach ache, diarrhea and dysentery, colic, influenza, the venereal disease gonorrhea, fever, malaria, used externally for broken bones, wounds, mastitis, snake bites, goiter, digestive disorders, leukorrhea (vaginal discharge), rheumatism, tonsillitis, toothache, and as a dewormer (vermifuge).
Alkaloid, tanin, terpenoid, flavonoid, saponin, steroid, phlobataninsterol, glikosida, quercetin, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, imperatorin dan furocoumarin.
Socfindo Conservation. 2023. Pulutan. https://www.socfindoconservation.co.id/plant/292 (29-04-2023)