''Aspilia africana'', also known as the haemorrhage plant or wild sunflower,
[ is one of about 50 species of the genus '']Aspilia
''Aspilia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Some authors have merged this genus with '' Wedelia'', but others maintain that more study is required. ''Aspilia'' is native to Africa, Madagascar, and Latin America.
Medicin ...
''.
Description
''Aspilia africana'' is a semi-woody herb from a perennial woody root-stock to 25-130cm high. Leaves are 4-12cm long and lanceolate
The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...
. The fruit are 3-3.5mm long achenes.[
It is very polymorphic with at least four varieties recognized.
]
Distribution and habitat
It is widely distributed across tropical Africa, occurring on grasslands
A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natural ...
, woodlands Woodlands may back refer to:
* Woodland, a low-density forest
Geography
Australia
* Woodlands, New South Wales
* Woodlands, Ashgrove, Queensland, a heritage-listed house associated with John Henry Pepper
* Woodlands, Marburg, Queensland, a her ...
, forest margins, and abandoned cultivated zones.[
]
Traditional medicine
''Aspilia africana'' has been classified as a low toxicity plant and has been used in traditional African medicine to treat wounds.[ Its leaves are taken as an infusion by women after childbirth.][ There is no ]scientific evidence
Scientific evidence is evidence that serves to either support or counter a scientific theory or hypothesis, although scientists also use evidence in other ways, such as when applying theories to practical problems. "Discussions about empirical ev ...
that it has any medicinal properties.
References
External links
Useful Tropical Plants - ''Aspilia africana''
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Heliantheae
{{Heliantheae-stub