Scientific name: Spermacoce exilis (L.O.Williams) C.D.Adams ex W.C.Burger & C.M.Taylor
Family: Rubiaceae
Synonym: Borreria exilis L.O.Williams, Borreria repens DC.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Butamphul.
English name: Pacific false buttonweed.
Description of the plant: An annual herb. Stem decumbent, many branched, sparsely to densely crisped puberulent in lines on the angles. Leaves opposite, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 0.4-3.5 cm long, apex acute to rounded, base cuneate. Flowers few in axillary, dense, sessile clusters, white. Fruits oblong, compressed, 2-lobed, finely transversely wrinkled, and very shortly pubescent; seeds oblong ellipsoid.
Parts used: Leaf.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Paste prepared from leaves of the plant is applied on the forehead twice a day until the headache is cured.
A paste is made with leaves of the plants are applied on the affected parts of the body once a day for 15 days to treat rheumatism.
Distribution: The species is found in Noakhali, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Laksmipur, Maulvi Bazar, and Sylhet.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.