Scientific Name :Melanthera richardsae Vernacular Name :Cyumya yo mugushanga Family name :Cyumya yo mugushanga Geographic Distribution :Mountainous area, rare, found in Rubavu only, 1700 m
Botanical Description Herbaceous, perennial and sarmentaceous plant which can reach 2 m tall. Opposite sessile leaves,scabrous. Inflorescence in head like flowers, solitary capitula or arraged in corymb. The leaf margins are usually serrated.
It grows near the brooks, and marshes. The stems are quadrangular, the little branches and the main apex bear yellow central florets and the outer petals whorl is also yellowish.
Medicinal Use The leaves of Melanthere richardsa e , are used as a poultice or as a decoction to treat indigestion. Kashangirwa Richard, a TMP in Kigali uses Melanthere richardsa e not only to treat intestinal worms, but also to cure stomaches, liver diseases, kidney diseases and amenhoreafor women in reproductive ages .
