Common Name:

General Information

Triumfetta pilosa is a perennial herb or shrub growing up to 3 metres tall[]. The plant is often weak-stemmed and straggling or climbing[].
The plant has a range of local uses, being harvested from the wild especially for its fibre and medicinal applications.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa -Sudan and Ethiopia, south to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar. E. Asia - Indian subcontinent, southern China, Malaysia.

Habitat

Forest, woodland and grassland, in swamp edges or on stream banks, along roads, in fallows and as a weed of cultivation, at elevations of 1,000 - 2,550 metres, occasionally to 2,750 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The seed pods are covered in hairs which stick to clothes and the fur of animals, thus providing the plant with a means of seed dispersal[]. Although no specific reports have been seen for this species, several other members of the genus have used this to become weeds outside their native range[].
A very variable species, several forms have been named[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaf is drunk to treat colic and diarrhoea, whereas in East Africa an extract of the leaf is recorded to be drunk as a purgative[].
A leaf maceration is used as an eye bath for treatment of eye problems[].
The crushed leaf and twig are applied as a paste on sores[].

The bark and fresh leaves are astringent[]. They are used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

The leaves and flowers are used for the treatment of leprosy[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is an indicator of increasing fertility in wetlands. When it appears, the farmers put a fallow back under cultivation[].

Other Uses

The stem bark is much used for making rope and string[]. The partially retted fibre is made into canvas and sailcloth, because of its durability in moist conditions[].
The bark is traditionally made into barkcloth by hunter-gatherers in DR Congo.

Propagation

Seed -

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