Rank Species | ||
Similar Leucas, Leucas cephalotes, Leucas zeylanica, Acalypha indica, Senna auriculata |
Leucas aspera
Leucas aspera is a species within the Leucas genus and the Lamiaceae family. Although the species has many different common names depending on the region in which it is located, it is most commonly known as Thumbai. Found throughout India, it is known for its various uses in the fields of medicine and agriculture.
Contents
Amazing native plants leucas aspera dronapushpi thumbai
Distribution
Leucas aspera is commonly found throughout India and the Philippines as well as the plains of Mauritius and Java. In India and the Philippines Leucas aspera is a very common weed.
Habitat and ecology
Leucas aspera is typically found in dry, open, sandy soil and is abundant in areas with waste.
Morphology and anatomy
It is an annual herb or undershrub that can reach heights of 15–60 cm (6–24 in).
Opposite, subsessile or short petioled,linear or narrowly oblong- lanceolate,entire or distantly crenate, obtuse, narrowed at the base. They can reach up to lengths of 8 cm (3.1 in), and be 1.25 cm (0.49 in) broad. The length of petioles is typically 2.5–6 mm (0.098–0.236 in) long. The leaves epidermis is covered in a thick waxy cuticle and is traversed with stomata.
The stem is quadrangular, much branched, hispid or scabrid and contains a wide stele. The epidermis of the stem is covered in a thick waxy cuticle and contains few traversed stomata. Typically in younger stems the xylem tissue is radially organized and the parenchymatous pholem tissue is very narrow. As the stem ages the pholem tissue widens and can be found on both sides of the radial xylem tissue.
Flowers and fruit
. Flower Complete,bisexual, irregular, zygomorphic, hypogynous, pentamerous, white.
Food
It is a herb used in food to provide fragrance to food.
Traditional medicine
Leucas aspera is reported to have antifungal, prostaglandin inhibitory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antinociceptive and cytotoxic activities. Leucas aspera is used in the traditional medicine of the Philippines to treat scorpion bites. It is also an antipyretic, it is a herb that has the ability to help reduce fevers. In some forms of traditional medicine, the steam formed by crushing the Samoolam (the plant's flowers, seeds, roots, berries, bark or leaves), can be inhaled. The juice of the flowers can also be used for intestinal worm infections in children.
Other uses
Leucas aspera is used commonly as an insecticide. In addition the plant also has been used in witchcraft.