Shrubby pencilflower
StarStylosanthes fruticosa
Synonyms: Stylosanthes mucronata, Stylosanthes aprica, Stylosanthes flavicans, Arachis fruticosa, Stylosanthes bojeri, Stylosanthes suborbiculata, Stylosanthes setosa
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Indian and Sri Lankan folk and Ayurvedic practice Stylosanthes fruticosa (whole plant and leaf, often used as a powder) is employed for toothache and to strengthen the gums, and as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective remedy, among other uses (Indian ethnomedicinal and Ayurvedic plant catalogues; analgesic activity reported by Vasudevan et al., 2006).
Gallery
Botanical Description
Stylosanthes fruticosa, the shrubby pencilflower, is a perennial legume of the Fabaceae (subfamily Papilionoideae) widespread in dry grassland and scrub across Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent. It is a wiry, much-branched, somewhat woody-based herb or low subshrub, often forming a tough rootstock and prostrate to ascending stems. The leaves are trifoliolate with narrow, lanceolate to elliptic leaflets and conspicuous stipules sheathing the stem. The small, pea-like flowers are yellow to orange-yellow and borne in short, dense terminal or axillary spikes among bristly bracts. The fruit is a tiny, hooked, one- to two-jointed pod (loment) adapted for animal dispersal. A valued pasture and soil-improving legume, it tolerates poor, dry soils and heavy grazing.
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.
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