Higher classification Spurges | Genus Euphorbia Rank Species | |
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Similar Spurges, Euphorbiaceae, Euphorbia heterophylla, Euphorbia thymifolia, Ageratum conyzoides | ||
Euphorbia hirta l asthma plant erva de santa luzia euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia hirta (sometimes called asthma-plant) is a pantropical weed, possibly native to India. It is a hairy herb that grows in open grasslands, roadsides and pathways. It is widely used as a medicinal herb.
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Botany
This erect or prostrate annual herb can get up to 60 cm long with a solid, hairy stem that produces an abundant white latex. There are stipules present. The leaves are simple, elliptical, hairy (on both upper and lower surfaces but particularly on the veins on the lower leaf surface), with a finely dentate margin. Leaves occur in opposite pairs on the stem. The flowers are unisexual and found in axillary cymes at each leaf node. They lack petals and are generally on a stalk. The fruit is a capsules with three valves and produces tiny, oblong, four-sided red seeds. It has a white or brown taproot.
Common names
