Scientific Name :Polygala ruenzoriensis Vernacular Name :Nyirarubaba, Umusasa, Umushosho Family name : Polygalaceae Geographic Distribution :: montane forest, often in clearings and secondary forest also on road banks, 1700- 2500 m.
Botanical Description Shrub, up to 3.5 m high, Leaves alternate, subsessile,, lamina oblong-lanceolate to linear, acuminate or acute at apex, acute at base, 2-9 cm long and 0.3-1.8 cm wide. Inflorescence a raceme. Flowers purple, corolla with1-1.2 cm long carina with a lacinate crest, wings rounded and 1.1-1.3 cm in diameter. Fruit an obvate capsule up to 0.6-0.8 cm long and 0.4-0.6 cm wide.
Medicinal Use The leaves of Polygala ruenzoriensis are used in the treatment of spermatorrhoea. They are used in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, insomnia, infantile convulsions, amnesia, sexual impotency etc. The plant roots are also considered as analgesic, diuretic, expectorant and nervine.
