Common Name:

General Information

Heliotropium supinum is a prostrate or decumbent, annual plant, usually with 4 main stems rising in a cross; the stems are up to 35cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

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

Southern Europe; drier areas of Africa; eastern Mediterranean; E. Asia - Pakistan, India.

Habitat

On heavy black or brown soils in dried-up water holes and pools, at elevations from 250 - 1,350 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.25 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The pulped plant is mixed with water and applied to tumours[].

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids heliotrine and lasiocarpine have been isolated, and extracts have been tested as a control agent for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a chickpea disease, with limited success[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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