Flemingia strobilifera
| Flemingia strobilifera | |
|---|---|
| File:Luck plant .Flemingia strobilifera.jpg | |
| Green bracts of inflorescence | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Flemingia |
| Species: | F. strobilifera
|
| Binomial name | |
| Flemingia strobilifera | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Flemingia strobilifera, commonly known as the luck plant or wild hops, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae, and subfamily Faboideae. It is native to South, East and Southeast Asia.
Range
[edit | edit source]It is common in China, Taiwan, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar; Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Philippines.[1]
Description
[edit | edit source]The erect, perennial shrub grows 1.5 m to 2 m tall.[3] The leaves are ovate to oblong with pinnate venation and wavy margins. It flowers from October to December.[4] Each small, white pea-shaped flower is enclosed by a pair of reniform flower bracts. The alternating bracts are arranged in 2 files along the raceme, and eventually turn papery as they dry out. The small, cylindrical pods release their tiny black and red seeds by explosive dehiscence.[3]
Uses
[edit | edit source]In many parts of the Indian subcontinent it is used as a traditional medicine to treat epilepsy, hysteria and fever.[3][4] It is an essential part of the Bihu (গৰু বিহু) festival, during which the cattle are washed and gently beaten with twigs of this plant.[5] It is known as makhiyoti (মাখিয়তী) in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam.
Ecology
[edit | edit source]The species is invasive in New Caledonia.[6] In Panama it is an invasive plant species.[7]
Gallery
[edit | edit source]-
Green inflorescences
-
Papilionaceous flowers emerging from bracts
-
The persistent, papery bracts on inflorescence
-
Dry bracts, dehiscent brown pod and seed
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ [1] Flemingia strobilifera (L.) R. Br.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lopez, Omar. (2012). Introduced Alien Plant Species in the Neotropics: the Panama Case. The Open Ecology Journal. 5. 84. 10.2174/1874213001205010084.
Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).