Sida retusa

This is a common weed on our property and is quite tough to pull out as it has a long tap root. If the ground is dry, it is not even worth trying.


Binomial name : Sida retusa

Common name : Paddy's lucerne , Jellyleaf (early colonial name)


Description:

A fibrous deep rooted herb to about 1m here with ovate and finely toothed leaves about 2-3cm. The leaves here are not grey underneath although this is recorded elsewhere as occurring. There are small pale yellow flowers to about 1.5cm diameter but none are present in these 2 photos

Historical use :


Cribb (ref below) records that it is native to Australia and other warm climate countries.

It belongs to the same family as Mallow and Hibiscus. It is recorded as a well known remedy for diarrhoea - the dose being to chew on a few leaves. In Malaysia it is recorded as being used topically for skin ulcers and sores and also for headaches and toothache. Cribb also reports that it was considered to have magical qualities and was carried as a protection when elephant hunting!

The Aborigines also used this plant for diarrhoea, so maybe they told the early colonists about this use. It is also used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for chest infections and tuberculosis.


There is also an interesting newspaper article from 1873 -The Brisbane Courier- where it was discussed as being suitable for making paper and rope or cordage .

"Sida Retusa for paper making":
http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/1306050?searchTerm=MACLEAY#pstart63951

It never did develop into a commercial crop however for this purpose


Walter Hill gets a mention in this article as well - he was the first curator of the Botanic Gardens and was instrumental in lots of agricultural and horticultural developements in the early days of Queensland. He introduced sugar cane from the West Indies and this, of course, is a major Queensland crop now. We have a small book about him -  what an amazing early Queensland botanist/horticulturalist. Other plants that we can thank him for include the Jacaranda, Poinciana, Pineapple and Mango.



Pubmed search :

Not much to report - only a few abstracts. One indicated anti- oxidant actvity especially in the root and  another that an extract of the seeds have an effect against liver damage and some anticancer activity. There was some anti- inflammatory activity but only minimal antibacterial effect.
There was nothing in the scientific literature about it being used for diarrhoea.  I suspect there may be some anticholinergic type compounds present that have not yet been determined  (these compounds slow gut activity down, thus reducing the diarrhoea).   I would have expected more studies to be available on this plant.

Taste :

It is interesting to chew a leaf of this plant - it forms a sort of jelly in your mouth when chewed but there is no taste at all. That is the limit of my experience with it as well! However when I next go Elephant hunting I'll make sure to carry some for protection.



Tom


ref :  Cribb AB & JW  Wild Medicine in Australia  1981  Fontana Collins
         Smith G  Walter Hill of Brisbane's Botanic Gardens  2008 Gordon Smith
         Pubmed -  as usual for any medical/scientific studies

4mm rain overnight + shower yesterday morning
Bauhina purpurea coming into flower
First leaves on the Liquidambar styraciflua ( liquid amber) tree