About Richardia brasiliensis Gomes
Richardia brasiliensis Gomes is a flowering plant species belonging to the coffee family. Its English common names are tropical Mexican clover, Brazilian calla-lily, white-eye, and Brazil pusley; in Brazil, it is called poaia branca. This species is native to South America. It has been introduced to many other regions, where it sometimes grows as an invasive weed; these regions include Sub-Saharan Africa, India, Australia, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand. It is also a known weed of citrus groves in Florida, United States. This plant can be either an annual or perennial, growing from a deep root system. Its branching stems reach a maximum length of 40 centimeters (16 inches), and grow either prostrate along the ground or upright. Its leaves are arranged oppositely along the stems, oval in shape with pointed or rounded tips, and grow up to 6.5 centimeters (2.6 inches) long. The inflorescence is a cluster holding up to 20 flowers, and sometimes more. The flower petals are white or rose-pink. The fruit is a hairy nutlet. Nematodes often live on the roots of this plant. In Brazil, this plant is used for medicinal purposes, as an antiemetic and to treat diabetes.
