Description

An erect annual herb to about 45 cm high, of open waste spaces in montane situations in W Cameroons. The plant is native of S America and has become dispersed to many upland situations in tropical countries. It must be expected to occur in other montane locations in the Region.The plant is swift to colonize fallow and waste ground. It invades cultivation and is a serious weed-pest. In Kenya it is reported to smother plantings of young maize and millet (3).The leaves are eaten as a vegetable in Tanganyika (5), and in Indonesia (1). Stock readily browse it in Kenya (3, 4) and in India (6). It is also taken by small antelope (’dikdik’) in Kenya (3). Material in India has been analysed as containing: protein, 11%; fat, 0.8%; carbohydrate, 34%; fibre, 38%; ash, 16% (6).Extract of fresh leaves and inflorescences is used in Ethiopia to dress new wounds and cuts, and also rawness and saddle sores (? on horses and camels) resulting in rapid healing (2). In Indonesia the leaves are said to be rubbed on the skin as an anodyne for nettle-stings (1). In Lake Province of Tanganyika the pulped foliage is applied externally for low backache (7).The plant has strong cardio-vascular effects on laboratory test animals, and increases respiration rate in the dog. Tests for anti-bacterial activity have given negative results (8). Tests for insecticidal activity have also proved negative (1).

Description

An erect annual herb to about 45 cm high, of open waste spaces in montane situations in W Cameroons. The plant is native of S America and has become dispersed to many upland situations in tropical countries. It must be expected to occur in other montane locations in the Region.The plant is swift to colonize fallow and waste ground. It invades cultivation and is a serious weed-pest. In Kenya it is reported to smother plantings of young maize and millet (3).The leaves are eaten as a vegetable in Tanganyika (5), and in Indonesia (1). Stock readily browse it in Kenya (3, 4) and in India (6). It is also taken by small antelope (’dikdik’) in Kenya (3). Material in India has been analysed as containing: protein, 11%; fat, 0.8%; carbohydrate, 34%; fibre, 38%; ash, 16% (6).Extract of fresh leaves and inflorescences is used in Ethiopia to dress new wounds and cuts, and also rawness and saddle sores (? on horses and camels) resulting in rapid healing (2). In Indonesia the leaves are said to be rubbed on the skin as an anodyne for nettle-stings (1). In Lake Province of Tanganyika the pulped foliage is applied externally for low backache (7).The plant has strong cardio-vascular effects on laboratory test animals, and increases respiration rate in the dog. Tests for anti-bacterial activity have given negative results (8). Tests for insecticidal activity have also proved negative (1).