Pentodon pentandrus
(Schumach. & Thonn.) Vatke
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 halei Torr. & A.Gray
Hedyotis laxiflora (Benth.) Walp.
Hedyotis macrophylla Lepr. & Perrott ex DC.
Hedyotis pentamera Hochst.
Hedyotis pentandra Schumach. & Thonn.
Oldenlandia halaei A.Wood
Oldenlandia halei (Torr. & A.Gray) Chapm.
Oldenlandia hornei Baker
Oldenlandia laxiflora Benth.
Oldenlandia macrophylla DC.
Oldenlandia pentandra (Schumach. & Thonn.) DC.
Oldenlandia succulenta C.Wright ex Griseb.
Pentas pentandra (Schumach. & Thonn.) Benth.
Pentas thonningii Walp.
Pentodon abyssinicus Hochst.
Pentodon decumbens Hochst.
Pentodon halei (Torr. & A.Gray) A.Gray
Common Name:
General Information
Pentodon pentandrus is an annual to short-lived perennial plant with a slender rootstock and decumbent to erect stems up to 90cm long[
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.
This species is widespread, able to exploit a wide range of habitats and does not face any major threats.The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
308- Title
- Flora Zambesiaca
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.
Range
Africa - Mauritania and Senegal to Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, south to Namibia, S. Africa, Swaziland and Madagascar; Arabia - Yemen.
Habitat
Swamps, lake and river shores and on seasonally wet grounds, at elevations from sea-level up to 2,250 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
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual/Perennial |
| Height | 0.75 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant has been introduced into the southern United States, Cuba, Nicaragua and Brazil. In the United States it has become a weed known as Hale’s pentodon[
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.
].
Edible Uses
The leaves and young shoots are reportedly eaten as a vegetable[
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
A decoction of the plant is used internally and externally to promote lactation in nursing mothers[
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 ground-up leaves, mixed with oil, are rubbed onto the body as a treatment against fever, rheumatism and headache. The leaf sap is instilled in the eyes to cure conjunctivitis[
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 roots is drunk to alleviate the pain of a swollen spleen[
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.
].
Other Uses
None known
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.
