Although Ophiorrhiza leptantha and Ophiorrhiza laxa have been combined by some authors, they are (with very few exceptions) readily distinguished by number and size of flowers, amount and colour of calycine indument, and staminal characters. Although Ophiorrhiza leptantha and Ophiorrhiza laxa are sometimes essentially sympatric within Fiji, the former is usually found in moister, less exposed areas. It is less frequent than Ophiorrhiza laxa at high elevations, less common in general on Viti Levu, more common on Vanua Levu, and more widely distributed within the archipelago[].

Common Name:

General Information

Ophiorrhiza laxa is a copiously branched, evergreen perennial plant with stems that are more or less woody. It can grow from 20 - 300cm tall, and is often compact[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Pacific - Fiji

Habitat

Dense or open forest, in thickets on ridges and crests, and sometimes on cliffs; at elevations from near sea level to 1,280 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants can flower and produce fruit all year round[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves, are chewed to stop blood in the urine[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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