Geophila repens
StarGeophila repens
Synonyms: Psychotria repens, Geocardia repens, Rondeletia repens, Psychotria violacea, Geophila reniformis, Geophila violacea, Uragoga reniformis, Carinta repens var. americana, Geophila reniformis var. americana, Cephaelis reniformis, Carinta repens
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Across its pantropical range Geophila repens is used in folk medicine: the leaves are chewed and a decoction of the whole plant is taken as a cough remedy, and the crushed fruits are applied to the skin as an antifungal treatment for fungal dermatitis (Useful Tropical Plants). It is also documented in the ethnomedicine of the Karbi people of Assam, India (Teron & Borthakur ethnobotanical study).
Botanical Description
Geophila repens is a small, creeping, evergreen perennial herb of the family Rubiaceae with a pantropical distribution across the warmer parts of the Americas, Africa, and Asia, where it carpets shaded, moist ground in forests and along banks. The slender, prostrate stems root at the nodes to form dense, low mats rarely more than about ten centimetres tall. The leaves are small, broadly rounded to kidney-shaped or nearly circular, with a heart-shaped base and a glossy green surface, borne on short stalks. The flowers are small, white, tubular, and five-lobed, produced singly or in small clusters at the stem tips. They are followed by small, fleshy, bright red drupes that are conspicuous against the dark foliage. The plant's creeping, mat-forming habit and tolerance of deep shade make it a characteristic component of tropical forest floors and a sometimes-cultivated groundcover.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Geophila repens.
No notes yet.