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Rhytidophyllum tomentosum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Gesneriaceae |
Genus: | Rhytidophyllum |
Species: | R. tomentosum
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Binomial name | |
Rhytidophyllum tomentosum |
Rhytidophyllum tomentosum is a perennial flowering shrub belonging to the (Gesneriads) Gesneriaceae family. It is a member of the Rhytidophyllum genus and the Tomentosum species.
Habitat
Rhytidophyllum tomentosum[1] is native to Jamaica[2]. The shrub thrives in shaded damp rocky hillsides on the island. It has been introduced to the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Description
Rhytidophyllum tomentosum has long slender lime-green to dark green hairy leaves that are between 6 and 8 inches long. The leaves are pointed at both ends and have jagged edges.
The plant blooms light yellow tubular flowers that have dark red spots in the center.
Local Names
In Jamaica the vernacular names for Rhytidophyllum tomentosum are Search mi heart, Search my heart[3] or Heart bush.
Traditional Uses
- Rhytidophyllum Tomentosum leaves (fresh or dried) are used to make an herbal tea[4] for heart palpitations, coughs, chest congestion, sinus infections, and menstrual cramps. However, these claims are all based on folk medicinal practices.
- The plant's leaves and stems are combined with other ingredients to make Jamaican root tonic.
References
- ^ "Rhytidophyllum tomentosum (L.) Mart. - Jamaica, Cornwall Co. (BARCODE: 110428) - ISB: Atlas of Florida Plants". florida.plantatlas.usf.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ "Jamaica". National Geography. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lowe, Henry; Steele, Blair; Bryant, Joseph; Fouad, Emadelden; Toyang, Ngeh; Ngwa, Wilfred. "Important Jamaican Medicinal Plants with Special Reference to Their Antiviral Activity". MDPI. doi:10.3390/molecules26030607.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Lowe, Henry; Steele, Blair; Bryant, Joseph; Fouad, Emadelden; Toyang, Ngeh; Ngwa, Wilfred (2020-10-28). Important Jamaican Medicinal Plants with Special Reference to their Antiviral Activity (Report). MEDICINE & PHARMACOLOGY. doi:10.20944/preprints202010.0569.v1.
{{cite report}}
: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)