''Acalypha fruticosa'' is a species of flowering plant in the botanical family

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of a genus in the family. Most spurges, such as ''Euphorbia paralias'', are herbs, but some, e ...

. 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 Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practic ...

plant. In northern Kenya arrow shafts and beehive lids are made from the stem. From the dried leaves a tea is made in Ethiopia.

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.

References

External links

PROTA4U on ''Acalypha fruticosa''
fruticosa Leaf vegetables Plants used in traditional African medicine Taxa named by Peter Forsskål {{euphorb-stub