Antidesma alexiteria

Antidesma alexiteria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Genus: Antidesma
Species:
A. alexiteria
Binomial name
Antidesma alexiteria
Synonyms[1]
  • Antidesma alexiteria Gaertn. [Invalid]
  • Antidesma zeylanicum Lam.
  • Antidesma zeylanicum C.Presl [Illegitimate]

Antidesma alexiteria is a species of plant in the family Phyllanthaceae. It was early classified as a genus within family Euphorbiaceae, but later moved into family Phyllanthaceae. It is endemic to Southern India and Sri Lanka. It is a small understory shrub with maximum height of 8m. Fruits are red in color. In Sri Lanka, the plant is known as "Heen embilla - හීන් ඇඹිල්‍ල", which is used in Ayurvedic purposes.[2] leaves of A. alexiteria are used as an antidote for many snake bites, and bark of the root for dysentery treatments.[3]

  1. ^ "Antidesma alexiteria L. — the Plant List".
  2. ^ "Ayurvedic Plants of Sri Lanka: Plants Details".
  3. ^ "Antidesma alexiteria - Useful Tropical Plants".