This species has been confused with Spermacoce prostrata Aubl., a tropical American species now naturalized throughout the tropics[].

Common Name:

General Information

Spermacoce ocymoides is an erect or spreading, well-branched annual plant with slender stems; it can grow 25 - 60cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Isles, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu.

Habitat

Waste places, disturbed soil, along canals and marshes, in grassy fields and along roads; at elevations from sea-level up to 650 - 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.40 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant has become naturalized in areas outside its native range[].
The dried leaves smell strongly of coumarin[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are applied in a poultice as a treatment for headache[]. The finely crushed leaves are applied to wounds[].

The sap is used to treat eczema, worms and ringworm[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: 6 add another 6 is?