Three-flowered desmodium

Three-flowered desmodium is native to south China, India, Sri Lanka, Indo-China, Malesia, north Australia, and the southwest Pacific. The plant is often harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Ulucha (Assamese), Adkhapanal (Malayalam).

Found on a variety of soils in evergreen or semi-deciduous forest, in the vicinity of watercourses, on bunds of rice fields, savannah, and grasslands; at elevations from sea-level up to 1,500 m, occasionally to 2,000 m, ranging from sands to heavy clays.

• Stems - branches triquetrous (3-edged) grooved, ciliate with stiff hairs on angles.
• Leaves - alternate, 1-foliate, winged petiole, Leaflets 4-18 x 2-9 cm ovate-oblong.
• Flowers - reddish or purplish, in axillary and terminal racemes, small, papilionaceous. Stamens diadelphous, ovary oblong. inflorescences terminal and axillary racemes.
• Pods - linear-oblong, flat, beaked, grey-pubescent, 4-7 jointed, loosely appressed hairy.
• Fruits - slightly curved pods that are hairy, 3-5 jointed, about 1.2-1.3 cm long.

It can be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings.

Leaves contain tannins, alkaloids, hyperforin, trigonelline, silicic. Fuits contain saponins, flavonoids. Roots contain saponins, flavonoids, tannins.

• An ethanol and water extract of the aerial parts of the plant have shown antiviral and cytotoxic activities.
• Study results that D. triquetrum has potent hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity.
• The roots are febrifuge.
• The plant has an astringent property.
• The leaves are used to treat haemorrhoids, usually in the form of a decoction. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat stomach discomfort. The leaves are applied externally as a treatment for lumbago.
• Both the leaves and the seedpods are used as part of diuretic remedies to treat gravel in the kidneys and bladder
• A decoction or infusion of the roots is used as a treatment for chronic coughs and tuberculosis, to treat kidney complaints. The root is eaten or used in baths as a treatment for gastro-intestinal and urinary problems ranging from an upset stomach to hepatitis. The roots are used to make a poultice for bruises.
• A decoction of the whole plant is used for invigorating the spleen and promoting digestion.