1140

  Tragia involucrata L.

Synonym	:	Tragia involucrata var. rheediana Müll
Family	:	EUPHORBIACEAE
Local name	:	Malayalam- Kodithoova, . .
Flowering and fruiting period	:	July-December
Distribution	:	India and Sri Lanka
Distribution in kerala	:	All Districts
Habitat	:	Wastelands
Uses	:	traditionally used to treat inflammation, wounds, eczema, scabies and skin infections.
Key Botanical Characters: Slender, twining herbs with stinging hairs. Leaves simple, alternate, 6-10 x 3-5.5 cm, ovate or elliptic, base acute or rounded, margin serrate, apex acuminate, hispidulous on both sides; petiole to 2.5 cm long. Spikes axillary, monoecious, to 2 cm long; male flowers above, female flowers 1-2, at the base. Male flowers c. 1.5 mm across; bracts spathulate; tepals 3, spreading; stamens 3, anthers subsessile. Female flowers c. 3 mm across, ebracteate; tepals 6, c. 1 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, enlarged and spreading in fruits; style 3, spreading. Capsule c. 0.6 x 1 cm, 3-lobed, hispid; seeds globose.