About Waltheria indica L.
Waltheria indica L. is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae, with a pantropical distribution. It is thought to have originated in the Neotropics. Its common names include sleepy morning, basora prieta, hierba de soldado, guimauve, mauve-gris, moto-branco, fulutafu, kafaki, and ʻuhaloa in Hawaii. W. indica is a short-lived subshrub or shrub. It grows to a height of 2 meters (6.6 feet) and reaches a stem diameter of 2 centimeters (0.79 inches). This species is most commonly found in dry, disturbed, or well-drained moist habitats. In Puerto Rico, it grows in regions with 750 to 1,800 millimeters (30 to 71 inches) of annual rainfall, at elevations ranging from sea level to over 400 meters (1,300 feet). In some cultures, the roots, leaves, and flowers of W. indica are all used for medicinal purposes.
