Microstachys chamaelea - Sanke's Tongue

❏ Binomial Name : Microstachys chamaelea (L.) Müll.Arg.

❏ Synonym : Sebastiana chamaelea,Tragia chamaelea,Elachocroton asperococcum

❏ Family : Euphorbiaceae

❏ Common Name : Sanke's Tongue

❏ Tamil Name : Eli-amanaku

❏ IUCN status: Not Evaluated

Microstachys chamaelea Botanical Description

Erect or diffuse herbs. Leaves alternate, 2-4.5 x 0.7-1 cm, oblong-lanceolate, base obtuse, margin minutely dentate, apex obtuse or acute; petiole to 3 mm long. Flowers in monoecious slender axillary spikes, 1.5-2.5 cm long. Male flowers minute, c. 1.5 mm across in clusters of 3; tepals 5, connate; stamens 2-4, anthers globose. Female flowers solitary at base of spike, c. 1 mm across; tepals 3, ovate; ovary 3-lobed, echinate without; ovule 1 in each cell; style 3, connate at base. Capsule 3-lobed each with two rows of soft prickles on the back, 4-6 mm across. Seeds 1-1.5 mm long, oblong, carunculate.  Fl. &Fr.: July-December.

Microstachys chamaelea Medicinal uses

❀ A decoction of the leafy stems is used as a bath to relieve teething pain in babies

❀ The plant sap is an astringent tonic that is taken to treat syphilis and diarrhoea