A very variable species, a number of sub-species are recognised[, ].

Common Name: Devil's Horsewhip

General Information

Devil's horsewhip is a much-branched herbaceous annual to perennial plant, with stems that can become somewhat woody. It can grow from 30 - 200cm tall[, , ].
An important medicinal plant in parts of Asia[], it is also cultivated as a food crop in China[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Widespread through the tropics and subtropics of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas.

Habitat

Open dry places at elevations up to 2,000 metres in Nepal[]. Secondary regrowth, at forest edges, in thickets, open grassland, along forest trails, seasonal swamps and dried-up watercourses, at elevations up to 3,000 metres in Tanzania[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.90 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

In eastern Africa, it is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 700 - 1,300mm[].
Grows best in a fertile soil.
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become invasive on several Pacific Islands[]. The seed body sticks to fur and clothing, and the plant is thus transported to fresh locations[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[, , ]. Used as a spinach substitute[, ]. They can be served with a staple food or mixed with other vegetables to add bulk[]. Pounded simsim, groundnuts or sunflower are added in order to make it more palatable[].

The leaves are burnt in order to make a vegetable salt[, ].

Seed - cooked[, ]. The seeds are said to be eaten with milk in order to check hunger without loss of body weight[]. Often considered as a famine food when nothing better is available[]. The brown ovoid seed is about 2mm long[].

Medicinal

One of the more important medicinal herbs of Nepal, it is widely used in the treatment of a range of complaints. The whole plant is used medicinally, but the roots are generally considered to be more effective[]. They contain triterpenoid saponins[].

The root is astringent, diuretic and antispasmodic[, , ]. It is used in the treatment of dropsy, rheumatism, stomach problems, cholera, skin diseases and rabies[, ].
The macerated root is used to relive the pain of scorpion stings[].
The juice extracted from the root of this plant, mixed with the root of Urena lobata and the bark of Psidium guajava, is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[].

The plant is astringent, digestive, diuretic, laxative, purgative and stomachic[]. The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of boils, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids, rheumatic pains, itches and skin eruptions[].
The ash from the burnt plant, often mixed with mustard oil and a pinch of salt, is used as a tooth powder for cleaning teeth[]. It is believed to relieve pyorrhoea and toothache[].

The leaf is emetic and a decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[].
A paste of the leaves is applied in the treatment of rabies, nervous disorders, hysteria, insect and snake bites[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is considered to be an indicator of soil fertility in the areas where it grows[].

Other Uses

The ash from the burnt plant, often mixed with mustard oil and a pinch of salt, is used as a tooth powder for cleaning teeth[]. A rich source of potash, it is used for washing clothes[] and as a source of alkali in dyeing[].

The dried twigs are used as toothbrushes[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ.

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