Scientific name: Sphaeranthus indicus L.
Family: Asteraceae
Synonym: Sphaeranthus hirtus Willd.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Indisag, Murmoria, Borokhulkurhi, Chagoldi, Chagal nudie, Mundi, Gorakh mundi.
Tribal name: Mraa-shey-ammay (Rakhaing).
English name: East Indian globe-thistle, Indian sphaeranthus.
Description of the plant: A much-branched herb, 12-35 cm tall, stem divaricately branched, 4-winged, wings irregularly and sharply toothed, glandular and spreading, whitish pilose. Alternately arranged obovate-oblong leaves are narrowed at the base, dentate and serrate, 2-6 cm long. Flowers occur in purple spherical heads, 8-15 mm, consisting of numerous tiny flowers. Flowers are purple and the stamens pale-purple.
Plant parts used: Whole plant.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Juice extracted from the plant is used as gargle in inflammation of the throat.
Decoction of the plant is said to be active against bronchitis, asthma, leucoderma, jaundice, and scabies.
The juice of the plant is said to be useful in liver and gastric disorder.
The paste prepared from the plant is applied on the affected part of the body to treat itching.
Distribution: It is found in Dhaka, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Chittagong, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
