Urtica massaica

Urtica massaica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Urticaceae
Genus:	Urtica
Species:	U. massaica
Binomial name
	Urtica massaica; Mildbr.

Urtica massaica is a species of flowering plant in the Urticaceae (nettle family) known by many English names, including Maasai stinging nettle and forest nettle.[1] It is native to Africa, where it can be found in Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.[1]

This plant is a rhizomatous perennial herb up to 2 meters tall. It is covered in stinging hairs. The heart-shaped leaves are up to 13 centimeters long by 10.5 wide and have serrated edges. The plant is dioecious. The flowers are borne in panicles.[1]

This plant is used for food and medicine in several African nations. It is used in Rwanda to treat diarrhea.[2] The Maasai use it to treat stomach ache. They are used in Kenya to treat malaria. Other medicinal uses include treatment of fractures and venereal diseases.[1]

The plant is also used to repel rats and to keep cattle out of crops.[1]

Gorillas eat the plant.[2]

References

Grubben, G. J. H., Ed. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa: Vegetables. PROTA 2004 pg 540.
Alphonse, N., et al. (2008). Chemical study of the stems of Urtica massaica, a medicinal plant eaten by mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda. Research Journal of Applied Sciences 3(7) 514-20.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[grub-1] Grubben, G. J. H., Ed. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa: Vegetables. PROTA 2004 pg 540.

[alph-2] Alphonse, N., et al. (2008). Chemical study of the stems of Urtica massaica, a medicinal plant eaten by mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda. Research Journal of Applied Sciences 3(7) 514-20.