Acalypha fruticosa

Acalypha fruticosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Acalypha
Species: A. fruticosa
Binomial name
Acalypha fruticosa
Forssk.

Acalypha fruticosa is a species in the botanical family Euphorbiaceae. It occurs widely in East and southern Africa where it is eaten as a vegetable. It is also an important browse plant for sheep. In East Africa and southern Africa it is used as a medicinal plant. In northern Kenya arrow shafts and beehive lids are made from the stem. From the dried leaves a tea is made in Ethiopia.[1]

Geographic distribution

Acalypha fruticosa occurs in East and parts of southern Africa, except humid central Africa. It also occurs in tropical Arabia, southern India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.[2]

References

  1. Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors), 2008. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 11(1). Medicinal plants 1. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen, Netherlands / Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands / CTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. 791 pp.
  2. African Plant Database

External links

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