Asthma Weed   

Asthma Weed's description

Description: Slender, suberect pubescent herbs. Leaves decussate, 1-2.5×0.7-1.5 cm, broadly oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, apex acute, base obliquely truncate, margin serrulate, hispid on both sides, basally 3-nerved; petiole to 3 mm long. Cyathia aggregated in single or paired axillary clusters. Involucre minute; glands 5, red. Male fl owers 4-6, ebracteolate. Female fl orets laterally pendulous; styles 2-fi d from base. Capsule 1.5-2 mm across, pubescent; seeds minute, red, 4-angled, minutely furrowed.

Asthma Weed's Behavior & Ecology

Occurrence in Maldives: Very common in open areas.

Asthma Weed's Relationship with Humans

Uses:  Euphorbia hirta is not used medicinally in the Maldives but in some other areas of the world, the plant decoction is used for the treatment of asthma and chronic bronchial infection. In the form of tincture, it is used to treat colic, dysentery and diseases of the genito-urinary tract. The latex of the plant is a remedy for warts and ringworm.