Common Name:

General Information

Cyathula prostrata is an annual to perennial plant with prostrate or erect stems growing from a long taproot. It can grow 30 - 60cm tall[, ].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use, especially as a medicine but also as a food and source of soap.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Widespread in the tropics, through many parts of Africa, through Asia to New Guinea, northern Australia and into the western Pacific.

Habitat

Understorey of deciduous to evergreen vine thickets, vine forest, closed forest and monsoonal thickets, growing mostly on loamy and sandy soils[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is often used in traditional medicine, It is widespread through the African and Asian tropics, probably aided by human activity, and is also naturalized in parts of tropical America, It is found as a weed in many areas and is reported to be invasive in many Pacific Islands[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the aerial parts of the plant are drunk as a treatment for cough[]. An infusion of the whole plant is taken as a remedy for fever and dysentery[, ]. A decoction is used as a wash for relieving headache[].
The sap of the plant is used as ear drops to treat otitis and headache[310. The plant is pulped and applied as a poultice on sores, burns and fractures, where it acts as a haemostatic and cicatrizant[, ].
The ash of the burnt plant, mixed with water, is rubbed on the body as a remedy for scabies and other skin ailments[].

The roots are used as an abortifacient[]. A decoction of the roots is used as a remedy for dysentery, colds and cough, rheumatism and dropsy. The roots are used in the treatment of abnormal and frequent urination[].
The root is used as a plaster to treat caterpillar itch, around the neck for cough and on the belly for intestinal worms or shingles[].

The leaves, mashed with water, are a remedy for cholera[]. The stem and leaves are a mild laxative[]. The leaves are used to ease irritations of the throat[].
A decoction of the leaves is applied to snakebites[]. The juice from macerated leaves is applied to cuts and bruises as an antiseptic[]. Macerated leaves are applied to wounds to stop bleeding[].

The juice of the stem is used as an abortifacient[, ]. A decoction is taken as a diuretic and to increase menstrual discharge[].

The flowers as an expectorant[].|

Other Uses

The macerated leaves are used as soap[].

Propagation

Seed -
Stem cuttings[].

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