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Scientific Name:Urera hypselodendron Vernacular Name:Umuse Family name : Urticaceae Geographic Distribution:Regrowth forest, humid forest, clearings,!450- 2400 m
Urera hypselodendron is a strong semi woody climber which reaches more than 10 m long, sometimes it is a sarmentaceous bush, provided withnt hairs (stinging mildly poisonous hairs), The stem is cannelate at the base, sometimes provided with roots, pubescent hollow stem sometimes with thorns. Leaves with pubescent petioles of 4-10 cm long, oval to elliptic oval laminae , which can reach 12 cm long and 5.5 cm wide; thin, pliable, and transparent, with serrated or crenelated margins. Inflorescence are cymose arranged in panicles which stems from the leaf axis or on leafless part of the vine. The plant is armed with stinging hairs, especially on the inflorescences.
The stem bark is used in traditional medicine to treat impetigo. Liquid from the stem is used as a tonic for pregnant women. A decoction of the stem is mixed withmilk and drunk by pregnant women with abdominal pain. A decoction of the leaves is taken as a purgative. The leaves are chewed as an antivenin against snake bites, or rubbed with a maceration of the whole plant.
The leaves are eaten as vvegetable. The strong, black fiber is obtained from the stem bark. The stem is used for basketery.