Baccharoides lasiopus

Baccharoides lasiopus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Baccharoides
Species:
B. lasiopus
Binomial name
Baccharoides lasiopus
(O.Hoffm.) H.Rob.

Baccharoides lasiopus is a thinly branched herb or semi shrub within the family Asteraceae.

Description

A woody shrub that grows up to 3 m with stems up to 3 cm in diameter; its bark is smooth and greyish brown.[1] Leaves are ovate or elliptical in outline and can reach 25 cm in length and 9.5 cm in width but commonly shorter.[2] Inflorescence is terminal, corymbosely arranged and crowded; flowers are pale mauve, purple or white.[3]

Distribution

The species occurs in Tropical East Africa, from the Ethiopia and Sudan southwards to Northern Zimbabwe.[3] It is commonly found in bushland, riverine woodland or forest and grasslands. The plant is called muhasha in Swahili, known as Ol-euguru among the Maasai and Nkaputi among the Samburu.[1]

Uses

Powdered leaves of the species are used in a decoction to treat indigestion and stomach ache while extracts of the plant are used by the Kikuyu to treat malaria.[1] Farmers in Kenya also use the plant to ward off weevils from harvested maize.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Gitahi, Stephen (November 2021). Phytochemical Profiles and Bioefficacy of Selected Organic Leaf Extracts of Tithonia Diversifolia and Vernonia Lasiopus against Sitophilus Zeamais (PhD thesis). Kenyatta University.
  2. ^ "Kenya Trees, Shrubs and Lianas (National Museum of Kenya, 1994, 762 p.): SPERMATOPHYTA DICOTYLEDONES: Compositae - Sunflower family". www.nzdl.org. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  3. ^ a b Smith, C.E. 1971. Observations on stengelioid species of Vernonia. Agriculture Handbook no. 396. U.S.D.A., Agricultural Research Service.