Gonostegia hirta
Family: Urticaceae
What it is like
Gonostegia hirta is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Sunny stream banks in valleys and weed patches alongside woodlands. Weedy places, thickets by ditches and rice fields at elevations of 100 - 1000, occasionally to 2700 metres.
E. Asia - China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The plant s depurative and febrifuge. The roots, the leaves or the whole plant can be used. They are used to treat boils and abscesses, abdominal cramps in females and leucorrhoea. They are also used to treat bone dislocations and fractures.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
The plant can be monoecious or dioecious.
Propagating it: Seed -
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist