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Useful Tropical Plants

Oldenlandia affinis

(Roem. & Schult.) DC.

Rubiaceae


Hedyotis is a very problematic genus or group of genera. Neither the overall identity and limits of this lineage, nor the evolutionary patterns within it, are at all understood or delineated. Widely differing treatments have long been used in different regions and floras. The situation is far from resolution or even general consensus and so many authors treat the genus very broadly[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. In line with several recent (up to 2013) molecular and phylogenic studies, the Kew ‘World Checklist of Selected Plant Families’ has recognised a number of distinct genera and this is the treatment we are adopting here[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Hedyotis affinis Roem. & Schult.

Hedyotis decumbens Hochst.

Hedyotis dichotoma K.D.Koenig ex Roth

Hedyotis fugax Vatke

Kohautia decumbens (Hochst.) Roberty

Kohautia longiflora E.Mey. ex Sond. & Harv.

Oldenlandia decumbens (Hochst.) Hiern

Oldenlandia dichotoma (K.D.Koenig ex Roth) Hook.f.

Oldenlandia linearifolia Wight & Arn.

Oldenlandia prostrata Pires de Lima

Common Name:

Oldenlandia affinis
Pot-grown plant
Photograph by: KalataB1
Public domain
Oldenlandia affinis Oldenlandia affinis Oldenlandia affinis Oldenlandia affinis

General Information

Oldenlandia affinis is a slender, erect or prostrate, much-branched annual or perennial herb that can grow up to 50cm long, exceptionally to 120cm[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Africa - Liberia to Sudan, south to S. Africa, Madagascar, the Comores; E. Asia - India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia.

Habitat

Found in Malaysia in dry, often sandy locations, usually near the sea; in India it is commonly found on the slopes of hills; at elevations up to 1,200 metres[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitAnnual/Perennial
Height0.30 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is reported to be used medicinally in Peninsular Malaysia, without specification[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

The plant is given to hasten childbirth in Africa. It contains the oxytocic phenolic amine serotonin and two oxytocic proteins. Practical modern usage is hampered by the toxicity of serotonin and at least one of the proteins, and both compounds are ineffective when administered orally to laboratory animals[
688
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 68
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University.
Year
1987
ISBN
0004-2625
Description
Various articles on plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Oldenlandia+affinis>

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