Laportea interrupta

Laportea interrupta is a short-lived annual that grows mainly in seasonally dry tropical regions.

Laportea interrupta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Urticaceae
Genus:	Laportea
Species:	L. interrupta
Binomial name
Laportea interrupta (L.) Chew
Synonyms
Tragia interrupta Wedd.(L.) Spreng. Boehmeria interrupta (L.) Willd. Fleurya interrupta (L.) Gaudich. Fleurya spicata var. interrupta (L.) Wedd. ex Seem. Schychowskya interrupta (L.) W.Wight Urtica interrupta L.

Description

The low growing herb is monoecious annual that typically grows to a height of 0.05 to 2 metres (2.0 in to 6 ft 6.7 in) in height. The leaves and stems are covered in irritant hairs. The plant produced white to cream to green generally during warmer months.^[1]

Distribution

It is naturally found across parts of tropical and southern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Mozambique, and stretches through Tropical and Subtropical Asia and Northern parts of Australia to the northwestern Pacific.^[2]

Biochemical studies

This plant has high nutritional value, providing proteins, carbohydrates, starch, essential amino acids, and minerals. Root and flower extracts are rich in natural compounds with strong antioxidant activity. Studies in rats showed that its root and leaf extracts can reduce fever, confirming its traditional use as a medicinal herb and suggesting potential as a natural health supplement^[3]