Acalypha hispida Burm.f.

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Synonym:Acalypha sanderi N.E.Br.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Lal hatishur, Bara hatishur.

Tribal name: Bicha gach (Chakma), Sang-zuey (Rakhaing).

English name: Red-hot captail, Chenille plant, Foxtail.

Description of the plant: A shrub growing to a height of 1-3 m. Leaves alternate, petioles 2-11 cm long, broad-ovate, shortly cuneate at the base, cuspidate-acuminate at the apex, with crenulate-serrate margins. Inflorescence axillary, solitary, in long pendant spikes, up to 15-40 cm long.Flowers small and bright red.

Plant parts used: Leaf, stem, bark, flower.

Herbal uses: A decoction made with the leaves and flowers of the plant is taken thrice a day (50 ml amount each time) until the gonorrhoea is cured.

Decoction prepared from the roots and flowers of the plant is used for the treatment of hemoptysis.

Bark isused as expectorant and to treat asthma.

A paste made with the leaves and stems of the plant is applied externally to the infected skin to treat leprosy.

Infusion made with the leaves and stems of the plant is used for skin rashestreatment.

The leaves and stems of the plant are used to treat bleeding wounds, and ulcers.

The flowers of the plant are used for the treatment of kidney ailments,and diarrhoea.

Distribution: It occurs in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet districts, mostly planted.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….