Zehneria scabra
Zehneria scabra | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Cucurbitales |
Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
Genus: | Zehneria |
Species: | Z. scabra
|
Binomial name | |
Zehneria scabra (Linn.f.) Sond
|
Zehneria scabra is a
perennial climbing or trailing herb that belong to the family Cucurbitaceae.[1]
Morphology
The herb can climb up to 10 m (33 ft) long. The older parts of the stems are woody with corky-ridged bark.[2] Its leaves are triangular to ovate in shape, cordate at the base, deep green, and scabrid punctate above. The fruit is oval shaped and bright red.[3]
Distribution
The plant is widely distributed in
Tropical Africa, and present in Madagascar, India, and in Java
, Indonesia.
Uses
In Ethiopia, the herb is known locally as 'hareg ressa' where its fruits and leaves are crushed and oil extracted used to treat scabies. [2] Extracts from the herb are traditionally used to treat diarrhea, alopecia, wound and eczema.[4] Oil extracts are also used to treat skin related infections among the Pare of Tanzania.
References
- .
- ^ a b Messele, Bruck (February 2004). Studies on Extracts of Some Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for Dermatological Disorders in Ethiopia (Thesis thesis). Addis Ababa University.
- ^ "Zehneria scabra (L.f.) Sond. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
- PMID 25465058.