Lipang-aso
Fleurya interrupta Linn.


"Lipa" and its other common names are shared by two species of differing Genus: (1) Lipang-aso (Fleurya interrupta): lopa, lipang-kastila (2)Lipa (Laportea meyeniana): lipai, lipang-kalabaw, lipang-lalaki, lipang-doton, lopa, lupa. Both possess stinging hairs and can cause intense itching on contact. The former is a weed=herb, up to 1.3 meters high; the latter a shrub or small tree growing to a height of 3-5 meters.

 Other scientific names  Common names
Urtica interrupta Linn. Dalamo (Bis.)
Boehmeria interrupta Willd. Damaro (Bis.)
Urtica elongata Link Daudaua (Bis.)
Urtica sessilifdlora Blanco Langala (Bis.)
Urtica capitate Blanco Lipang-aso (Tag.)
Urtica sessilifora Wedd Lipang-kastila (TAG.)
Schychowskya interrupta W. F. Wight Lopa (Pamp.)



Botany
Erect plant or annual herb, somewhat branched, about 0.5 to 1.5 meters high. Stems are green and succulent, the vegetative parts with scattered, stinging, and spreading hairs. Leaves are ovate, 5-15 cm long, with tapering pointed tips and broad rounded bases, toothed margins, with scattered hairs on both surfaces. Inflorescence is narrow, axillary, slender, up to 20 cm in length, of numerous, short paniculately arranged cymes. Flowers are small, crowded, green, intermixed with pedicels of fallen flowers. Perianth of the pistillate flower is 1 to 1.5 cm long. The achenes are straw-colored, compressed and about 1.5 mm long.

The plant, particularly the leaves is covered with minute, stinging hairs, which cause intense itching. The hairs resemble a hypodermic needle with a large bulbous base, exuding a poisonous substance when the tip is broken.

Distribution
Introduced weed in cultivated areas.

Parts used and preparation
Leaves.
.
Uses
Leaves applied locally for carbuncles.
Decoction of root used as a diuretic. vThe effects probably due to the potassium nitrate content of the leaves and roots.
Decoction of roots used for asthma and coughs.

Availability
Wild-crafted.