Wikiwand AI

Scoparia dulcis

Species of flowering plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Scoparia dulcis is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family. Common names include licorice weed,[3] goatweed,[4] scoparia-weed and sweet-broom in English, tapeiçava, tapixaba, and vassourinha in Portuguese, escobillo in Spanish, and tipychä kuratu in Guarani.[5] It is native to the Neotropics but it can be found throughout the tropical and subtropical world.[5]

Quick facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Scoparia dulcis
Apparently Secure
Apparently Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Scoparia
Species:
S. dulcis
Binomial name
Scoparia dulcis
Synonyms[2]
  • Ambulia micrantha Raf.
  • Capraria dulcis (L.) Kuntze
  • Gratiola micrantha Nutt.
  • Scoparia grandiflora Nash
  • Scoparia nudicaulis Chodat & Hassl.
  • Scoparia procumbens Jacq.
  • Scoparia purpurea Ridl.
  • Scoparia ternata Forssk.
Close

Although S. dulcis is considered a weed in many parts of India and Bangladesh, its use in traditional medicine has led to overexploitation.[6] The plant is also found as a weed in American citrus groves.[4]

Description

S. dulcis may reach between 30 and 80 centimeters (approximately 12 to 31 inches) in height. Leaves are oppositely arranged and 1 to 3 centimeters long. Flowers are axillary.[7]

Traditional medicine

As a traditional medicine, S. dulcis has been used for diabetes in India and hypertension in Taiwan.[8] In Siddha medicine it is used for treatment of kidney stones, but it needs rigorous diet method. It is called kallurukki (stone melter) in Malayalam and Tamil. In Brazil, it has been used for various problems such as hemorrhoids and wounds.[9]

Chemical constituents

Chemicals that have been isolated from S. dulcis include scoparinol[10] and epinephrine.[11][12]

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks