Laportea interrupta

Scientific name: Laportea interrupta (L.) Chew

Family: Urticaceae

Synonym: Urtica interrupta L.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Bichuti, Chutra, Lalbichuti.

Tribal name: Aatran (Khumi), Gachsatta (Chakma), Mangjoigri (Marma), Kormai yearang (Tripura), Thawk-pui (Lushai).

English name: Hen’s nettle, Hawaii woodnettle, Stinging nettle.

Description of the plant: A small, hardly branched, slightly fleshy herb, bearing hairs which irritate the skin, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves are ovate, 5-15 cm long, with tapering pointed tips and broad rounded bases, toothed margins, with scattered hairs on both surfaces. Inflorescence is narrow, axillary, slender, up to 20 cm in length, of numerous, short paniculately arranged cymes. Flowers are tiny, green, with most organs in 4 parts. Fruit is a heart- shaped achene.

Plant parts used: Leaf, root.

Ethnomedicinal uses: A paste is made with the leaves of the plant is applied to treat muscular pain.

The leaves of the plant are applied locally for carbuncles.

Decoction prepared from the roots of the plant is used to treat asthma and cough.

Paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is applied on the boils to treat it.

Distribution: The species grows all over the country as a weed.

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