Richardia brasiliensis is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family known by the English common names tropical Mexican clover,Richardia brasiliensis. USDA Plants Profile. Brazilian calla-lily, white-eye, and Brazil pusley.Richardia brasiliensis. University of Florida IFAS Extension. In Brazil it is known as poaia branca.Pinto, D. S., et al. (2008). Secondary metabolites isolated from Richardia brasiliensis Gomes (Rubiaceae). Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 18(3) 367-72. It is native to South America. It is an introduced species and sometimes an invasive weed in many other places, including Sub-Saharan Africa, India, Australia, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand.Richardia brasiliensis. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk. It is a weed of citrus groves in Florida.Chandran, R. S. and M. Singh. (2003). Survey and control of Brazil pusley (Richardia brasiliensis) in Florida citrus. Proc Fla State Hort Soc 116 211-14.
This plant may be an annual or perennial which grows from a deep root. The branching stems grow up to long and lie prostrate or grow upright. The oppositely arranged leaves are oval with pointed or rounded tips. They are up to long. The inflorescence is a cluster of up to 20 flowers, or sometimes more. The petals are white or rose-pink. The fruit is a hairy nutlet.
The root is often a home to nematodes.
In Brazil this plant is used medicinally as an antiemetic and for diabetes.
References