Oldenlandia herbacea
(L.) Roxb.
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.
].
Hedyotis dichotoma (Roxb. ex Wight & Arn.) A.Rich.
Hedyotis diffusa Spreng.
Hedyotis herbacea L.
Hedyotis heynei R.Br. ex Wall.
Hedyotis linearis Steud.
Hedyotis micrantha Hochst. ex Hiern
Hedyotis stricta Sm.
Hedyotis trichopoda A.Rich.
Hedyotis triflora Wall.
Kohautia stricta (Sm.) DC.
Oldenlandia asperula DC.
Oldenlandia dichotoma Roxb. ex Wight & Arn.
Oldenlandia heynei (R.Br. ex Wall.) G.Don
Oldenlandia heynei Oliv.
Oldenlandia holstii K.Schum.
Oldenlandia stricta (Sm.) Kuntze
Common Name:
Close-up of the flowering stem
Photograph by: Vengolis
General Information
Oldenlandia herbacea is an erect or ascending annual or perennial herb hat can grow up to 50cm long, occasionally to 60cm. The slender stems are usually much-branched[
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 and a dye.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Tropical and subtropical Africa - widespread south of the Sahara; E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Andaman Islands
Habitat
Open places such as fields, grasslands and roadsides, often on stony or sandy soils; at elevations up to 1500 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 |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual/Perennial |
| Height | 0.40 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The plant is bitter, febrifuge and tonic[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
]. A decoction is used in the treatment of mild cases of malarial fever of a low remittent type[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
]. The powdered plant, combined with honey, is used to treat rheumatic fevers and swellings[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
]. The plant is useful in the treatment of elephantiasis, fever, verminosis, inflammations, asthma, bronchitis and ulcers[
372- Title
- Flowers of India
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.flowersofindia.net/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A wed site of native Indian plants, plus cultivated and naturalized species. It has good quality photos and terse details on more than 3,000 species and cultivars.
].
A decoction of the plant is used to bathe feverish patients[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
The plant is boiled in oil and this oil is then used in the treatment of elephantiasis and pains in the body[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
The leaves are used as an expectorant in the treatment of asthma and consumption[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
The plant has been 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.
].
Other Uses
A dye is oftained from the root bark. It is used to colour fabrics[
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.
].
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
