This species has often been confused with Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk.[].

Common Name:

General Information

Heliotropium ramosissimum is an ascending or procumbent, herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 50cm tall. The stem is much branched from a woody base[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and ink.

Known Hazards

No specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, but many members of this plant family (Boraginaceae) are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional use is generally completely safe. They are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many pyrrolizidine alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - throughout N. Africa, south to Senegal, northern Nigera and Sudan, through the Arabian Peninsula to Afghanistan.

Habitat

Sandy wadis, on calcareous ridges, sometimes abundant in poor pastures[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier regions, found mainly in the subtropics but also moving into the drier tropical areas.

The plant has been introduced in parts of the United States, and is considered a weed there[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The dried and powdered plant is added to water and drunk to combat fatigue[].

Leaf sap is applied to burns[]. It is applied topically to treat headache and used internally to treat gonorrhoea and to increase lactation[].

Other Uses

A macerate of the plant is used as ink[].

Propagation

Seed -

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