Weed Herbarium

Morcha agra

Common Name: Bon-tulsi
Scientific Name: Croton bonplandianus Baill.
Family Name: Euphorbiaceae
Type: Broadleaf

Identification Notes

EPPO Code

CVNBO

Life Cycle

Annual

Morphology

Stem: erect, branched, woody at base, with thick rootstock; Leaves: simple, alternate, broadly ovate, elliptic serrate, with two glands at the base; Inflorescence: racemose, bract minute, flowers unisexual, lower few flowers female, upper male; Fruit: Schizocarp

Growing season

Rabi and Kharif

Germination period

October to March

Flowering period

December to June

Propagation

By Seed

Habitat

Found in the roadsides, fallow high lands and levee of crop fields

Weed potential

Control measure

Eradication and Chemical control

Recommended herbicide

Non-selective herbicide Glyphosate

Distribution

Native to South America (from Bolivia to Argentina); introduced and naturalizing in Africa (Kenya), South-east Asia from Pakistan to Laos, Malay Peninsula (incl. Singapore), Borneo, Sulawesi, and probably further.

Medicinal properties

Croton bonplandianus stem has a milky sap that is at times used in healing small cuts and wounds. The plant has medicinal uses in Ayurveda and traditional herbal medicine, in the treatment of stomach ailments, cholera, colds, cough, diabetes, jaundice, dropsy, chicken pox, malaria, rheumatism, liver complaints, inflammations, eye diseases and many other common illnesses. The plants also have antibacterial, anticancer, anticoagulant, antioxidant, larvicidal and cytotoxic propertiess. The ash from burnt plants are also used as a detergent. Leaf extracts are used as pesticides and mosquito repellents.

Department of Agronomy

Bangladesh Agricultural University