Scoparia dulcis L.

Description:

Jeniang, Kedah, Malaysia.Scoparia dulcis L. Plantaginaceae, also placed in, Gratiolaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Veronicaceae. CN: [Malay - Pokok delis, Teh makao, Jaka tuwa], Sweet broom, Bitter broom, Broom weed, Licorice weed, Riceweed, Scoparia. Origin neotropics; naturalized throughout tropics and subtropics. Weed; folk medicine and said to be kidney stone diluter and remedy for diabetics. Stem herbaceaous wiry ca 90 cm tall, much branched; leaves opposite or whorled, small ca 5 cm long, 1 cm broad, narrowly elliptical and tapered to the base, margins from the middle to the tip are coarsely toothed; flowers numerous, small ca 1 cm long, emerged from leaf axils, several on slender stalks; sepals 4, corolla white with 4 spreading petals; the base of petals having white hairs surrounding the 4 greenish stamens; ovary green. Capsule round with persistent sepals and style.Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?33402www.hear.org/pier/species/scoparia_dulcis.htmwww.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v37n4/5241.pdf