| Zaleya pentandra | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Zaleya |
| Species: | Z. pentandra |
| Binomial name | |
| Zaleya pentandra (L.) C.Jeffrey | |
Zaleya pentandra is a prostrate perennial herb of the Aizoaceae family. It is widespread in semi-arid and arid climes and also in woodlands and can adapt to different ecological zones. [1]
The species is native to Africa with further dispersal to the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, India, and Pakistan. [2] It is sometimes called African purslane. It grows as a xero-halophyte herb in desert regions of Cholistan and Thar in Pakistan. [3]
The stems are papillose to glabrous and branches pubescent. Leaves can grow in various sizes, 1.5 – 4 cm long and 0.6 - 2.7 broad; oblanceolate to elliptical, dark green with a tinge of grey on the surface. [4] Petioles are shorter than the blade at about 8 – 11 cm long with sheathing at the base. [5]
A material used by some locals in folk medicine, root and leaf extracts are applied to treat snake bites, cough or stomach issues. [3] However, it is also considered highly toxic in some areas in India and as an invasive weed in regions of Pakistan. [2]