Hedyotis verticillata (L.) Lamk

Family

Rubiaceae

Synonyms

Oldenlandia verticillata L., H. hispida Retz.

Vernacular Names

Geographical Distributions

The distribution of hedyotis verticillata is from India, the Himalayas and southern China, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and throughout Southeast Asia.

Description

H. verticillata is a perennial and spreading herb. It can grow up to measure 15-100 cm tall, smooth or hispid and with stout taproot.

The leaves are elliptical, oblong to linear-lance-shaped,with a size measure 1.5-9 cm x 0.2-1.5 cm, pointed at both ends, scabrid, rigid and sessile.

The cyme is axillary while the flowers are rarely solitary. The sepal tube is hairless or pubescent. Lobes are triangular. The petal is measure 4-5 mm long. Lobes are outside with a few hairs at the apex.

The capsule is an ovoid in shape, with a size measuring 2.5-3 mm long, smooth while the sepal lobes are close together at the apex.

Ecology / Cultivation

H. verticillata occurs in sunny to lightly shaded, dry, less fertile, open localities, on sandy soils, in old clearings, teak forest and thickets, from sea-level up to 1600 m altitude. It is becoming an increasingly important weed in Malaysian plantations.

Line Drawing / Photograph

References

1. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 12 (2): Medicinal and poisonous plants.