Common Name: Yaxan

General Information

Justicia spicigera is an erect or scandent, usually densely branched, shrub that usually grows from 1 - 1.5 metres tall[].
A plant of considerable economic importance in Guatemala and other parts of Central America, where it is more commonly used in laundering linen, at least in country regions, than is indigo (Indigofera spp.)[]. Many homes at middle and low elevations have one or more bushes of the plant grown for this purpose, and large bales of fresh branches are often carried up to the highlands for sale in the markets[]. The plant is also harvested for medicinal use and is grown as an ornamental[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central America - Costa Rica north to Mexico.

Habitat

Damp or dry thickets, forest, hedgerows, from near sea level to elevations of 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Employed in domestic medicine, especially in treating dysentery and the bites of stinging insects[].

Other Uses

The leaves, when placed in hot water, become blackish, later on blue. They are commonly used as a whitening agent for clothes, working by imparting a light, bluish tinge[, ].
In conjunction with indigo, it is employed for the dark blue dye characteristic of the woollen textiles[]. It is believed that the plant was used by the ancient Mayas for painting walls and other surfaces[].

Propagation

Seed -

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