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Useful Tropical Plants

Justicia flava

(Vahl) Vahl

Acanthaceae

+ Synonyms

Adhatoda acuminata Nees

Adhatoda fasciata Nees

Adhatoda flava (Vahl) Nees

Adhatoda major Nees

Adhatoda minor Nees

Adhatoda palustris (Hochst.) Nees

Adhatoda suaveolens Nees

Adhatoda sulcata (Vahl) Nees

Carima sulcata (Vahl) Raf.

Dianthera flava Vahl

Dianthera sulcata Vahl

Gendarussa palustris Hochst.

Justicia fasciata E.Mey.

Justicia major (Nees) T.Anderson

Justicia minor (Nees) T.Anderson

Justicia nelsonioides Fiori

Justicia palustris (Hochst.) T.Anderson

Justicia smithii S.Moore

Justicia suaveolens (Nees) Lindau

Justicia sulcata (Vahl) Vahl

Tyloglossa acuminata (Nees) Hochst.

Tyloglossa major Hochst.

Tyloglossa palustris Hochst.

Common Name:

Justicia flava
Brown-veined White (Belenois aurota) on the flowers
Photograph by: Bernard DUPONT
Creative Commons License
Justicia flava Justicia flava Justicia flava

General Information

Justicia flava is an erect or trailing, usually perennial herb growing up to 120cm tall. The stem often becomes woody at the base[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. In dry regions the plant can grow as an annual with smaller flowers[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. In some areas the plant is not removed when found growing as a weed in cultivated fields, but is allowed to grow on in order to harvest its leaves for vegetable use[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental and can be used as a ground cover to protect the soil[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Africa - widespread throughout tropical Africa and south to S. Africa; also found on the Arabian Peninsula.

Habitat

Open habitats, with a wide ecological range, at elevations from sea-level to 2,300 metres[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.50 m
PollinatorsBees, Butterflies, Insects
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Found in a wide range of habitats from the tropics to the sub-tropics and from dry climates to moist ones. At least some forms of the plant can tolerate moderate frost[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Grows best in a sunny position, but also tolerates partial shade[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
]. Succeeds on a wide range of soils[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
]. Tolerant of dry conditions[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked. They can be mixed into soups or stews[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

The leaves are burnt to ash to produce a vegetable salt[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Medicinal

The leaves are reported to be emetic and haemostatic[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. Preparations are used to treat menorrhagia and blood in the sputum. The whole crushed plant, combined with vegetable ash, the seed of Aframomum species and capsicum pepper, is administered by enema as a treatment against painful menses[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. Mixed with lemon juice, the plant is taken to induce menstruation[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. An infusion of the plant is taken with egg albumen and coconut juice as a treatment against palpitations of the heart[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. The leaf sap is taken against hookworm and to treat hydrocele, the treatment including bathing of the affected parts[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The plant is used both internally and externally against fevers, yaws and diarrhoea in children[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Preparations are applied directly on cuts, whilst the pulped leaves are rubbed on the skin to treat convulsions and feverish pains in babies[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. The leaf sap is used as an eye lotion[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

The inflorescence is said to be a cure for dysentery[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

The bitter root is chewed by the Masai to cure diarrhoea and coughs[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Four sterols and salicylic acid were isolated from the leaves, stems and roots of the plant[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The leaves contain the 3 lignans helioxanthin, (+)-isolariciresinol and justicinol, as well as docosanoic acid and β-sitosterol-β-D-glucoside.[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant contributes to sand-binding vegetation in coastal dunes and sandy river banks[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. It makes a wonderful groundcover for use in sunny spots[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow the seeds in a container onto the surface of the compost, pressing them down lightly. Place the container in a shady spot and water well, being careful not to wash the seed away. Germination should take place after a week. Transplant the seedlings into individual containers when they are large enough to handle and they will be ready to plant out when they reach a height of 20cm[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
The seeds have water-absorbent hairs[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Cuttings around 12cm long. The ideal rooting temperature is between 15 - 25°c. Water twice a week. After rooting, transplant the cuttings in a good soil mixture and place them in 60% shade until established[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-05. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Justicia+flava>

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