Common Name:

General Information

Trichodesma physaloides is a perennial plant producing one to several, erect, usually unbranched, annual stems up to 60cm tall from a woody rootstock[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

The plant contains a toxic alkaloid[]. No further information is given, but many members of this plant family (Boraginaceae) are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional use is generally completely safe. They are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many pyrrolizidine alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported[].

Botanical References

Range

East Africa - Sudan, Ethiopia, eastern DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, S. Africa.

Habitat

Grassland or woodland subject to annual burning; at elevations from 900 - 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species often hybridizes in the wild with Trichodesma ambacense[],

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The powdered rootstock, mixed with beer or porridge, is used as an aphrodisiac[].
The woody rootstock is used in a paste to treat wounds[]. The leaves are rubbed on the skin to treat lumbago[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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