Scientific name: Laportea interrupta (L.) Chew
Family: Urticaceae
Synonym: Urtica interrupta L.
Vernacular name in Malayalam: Choriyanam
Habit: Perennial herb, erect, branched, with stinging hairs on stems and leaves.
Habitat: Moist, shaded areas along streams, forest undergrowth, and disturbed sites.
Distribution: Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including India and Sri Lanka.
Flowering and Fruiting: Flowers and fruits throughout the rainy season; inflorescence is axillary and spike-like.
Key identification features: Leaves ovate to lanceolate with serrate margins, stinging hairs present; stems and branches densely covered with stinging trichomes; inflorescence spikes short, axillary.
Uses: Traditionally used in folk medicine for treating skin diseases, fever, and as a diuretic; young leaves sometimes cooked as a vegetable after removing stinging hairs.
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